1*71 




■ 



N ,01 



' o . x * ,0 V 



0 \V 




\' 



NOTICES OF FLORIDA 



yO\ * AND 



BY M. 31. COHEN, 

(an officer of the left wing.) 



"All may have, if they dare try, 
A glorious life or grave." 



CHARLESTON, S. C. 
BURGES & HONOUR, 18 BROAD-STREET , 

NEW-YORK: 
B. B. HUSSEY, 378 PEARL-STREET. 

1836. 



ENTERED according to Act of Congress, in the year 1836. by 
& Ham*, and M. M. Cohen, fa, the Clerk's Office of the 
Distnct Court of South-Carolina. 



DEDICATION. 



TO 

JOHN L. WILSON, Esq, 

(Ex-Governor of South- Carolina,) 

OS A HUMBLE TRIBUTE TO HIS DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC 
SERVICES. AND EMINENT WORTH AS A LEGISLATOR 
AND JURIST, THIS LITTLE BOOK IS DEDICATED 
BY, VERY RESPECTFULLY, 

THE AUTHOR, 



; 



(j^T A few days after my arrival in Charleston from 
Florida, (which was on the 18th of last month), a proposal 
was made me for a work on that country, and the recent 
campaign therein. To this I acceded, and commenced lit- 
erary labours almost in the spirit with which I had entered 
upon military operations, namely, a wild wish for adven- 
ture, and a humble hope to be useful! All my written mate- 
riel consisted in a few notes (mainly in pencil) which I had 
taken, sometimes on horseback, and at others, supine on the 
earth. At one moment I would write, reclining against a 
tree, my desk being a cartridge-box or knapsack, borrowed 
from one of the soldiers under my command: at the next, I 
was scribbling under my rain-beaten tent, my pine torch 
flaring in the wind, and my table a saddle, which served my 
triple purposes as a rider, a writer, and a sleeper: sometimes 
not writing for a week, at others, a week's writing lost on 
the road, or wadded into a rifle, or wet with water higher 
than my saddle bags. These hints were intended, not for 
publication in a book, but merely as the basis of a contribu- 
tion to Hhe South-Carolina Society for the Advancement of 
learning," or as hints towards a paper to be read before 
"the Literary and Philosophical Society of Charleston." My 
notes, therefore, were on themes connected with Topogra- 
ph v, Philolocrv. Geology, Zoology, and other ologies, which 
are the portions of the volume that (together with additions 
and corrections of the Map) have cost me most time and 
trouble. 'Twas only a few days before publishing, that I 
discovered I would have to omit (fortunately for the readers. 



6 



«0! fortunatos nimium, sua si bona norint") all, or nearly 
all, I had worked out on these dull, vet difficult topics : for 
we found that the "Historic Sketches," and the account of 
the Campaign, would occupy as many pages as we had pro- 
posed to print. 

It will be seen that our book has been put to press in less 
than thirty days from its being undertaken, and composed du- 
ring frequent interruptions by varied and pressing affairs • 
for I had been called to Columbia in November bv legist 
tive duties, as a Representative of the good people of Charles, 
ton. (I like to be civil when speaking of my constituents, es. 
pecially as the period of re-election is approaching.) \t 
the seat of our State Government, I remained till late in 
December, and crossed over, as is my wont, to eat mv Christ 
mas turkey and drink my New. Year's draught with the 
charming society of Augusta. A few days after my return 
from Georgia, I embarked for Florida, and thus I have been 
absent some six or seven months from my law office, and all 
the other offices which home imposes. It will readily b* con 
ceded then, as vraisemUable , that I had many avocations from 
literary pursuits on my arrival. And beside business, the 
warm-hearted hospitality of Charleston, to a returned son 
of hers, is apt to unfit him (especially after dinner) for any 
composition except the composing himself to sleep \ n 'd 
this the more, if he be just from an Indian campaign, and 
exchanges gopher for turtle, crocodile for drum-steaks 
(of drumhead I had in the army quantum suf. parched corn 
for plum pudding, and pond-water for port-wine! 

All the foregoing is by way of apology for the manifold 
and manifest imperfections of the work, obvious even to the 
purblind partiality of an author for Ins own book For I 
flatter not myself that I am freer from the pride of paternitv 
man other parents, and fancy I shall be as much -.ratified 



7 



as they, if folks call my rickety bantling — "fine," "stout," 
"really pretty," and "very like the father!" I hope, at least, 
that the reader will take my excuse for what it is worth — 
though I don't know that it is worth much. He may say, 
that Minerva sprang ready-armed from the brain of Jupi- 
ter — yet this is a vastly different affair : for we do not read 
that any book ever sprang ready- written from Minerva's 
brain. And even if it were the same thing, or any book 
had been so born, yet there are other differences between 
that lady and myself, beside sex, (as must, by this time, be 
evident to the reader.) Or he may ask, if I had not time 
to carve or chisel a grace, why I did not snatch one ; and 
remind me that the Cartoons of Rafaelle, by their thought, 
composition, expression and drawing, are as immortal as 
the exquisitely finished elaborations of Corregio, with the 
divine colouring and morbidezza of his flesh, his angelic 
grace, and joyous airs of his figures and c/azr-obscure. The 
remark may be very true, but 'tis not' a case in point, seeing 
that I am neither Rafaelle or Corregio, but only, their ar- 
dent admirer, and the public's obedient servant, 

M. M. COHEN. 

June 20th, 1836. 

N. B. — The above is my Preface ; I'd have told you so 
before, but fancied you'd find it out at last, and feared, had 
you discovered it at first, you would pretermit the perusal 
thereof, (prefaces being dull to a proverb) and thus have 
lost the knowledge of many interesting and instructive facts, 
such as where I eat my mince-pies, &c. Oh! what a dear 
delightful valve for letting off egotism is a Preface! Yet the 
reader hath this solace — that by how much the more I 
"prate of my whereabouts" here, by so much the less shall 
I play the egotist elsewhere. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Qesar begins his celebrated Commentaries with the pas- 
sage so familiar to the reader, that "all Gaul is divided into 
three parts;" and we might, as truly, commence our historic 
notices by declaring, that all Florida is divided into four 
parts, Eastern, Middle, Western and Southern. But as, on 
the one hand, we lay claim to no such soldiership as Cae- 
sar's (modest fellow that we are!) so, on the other, we can- 
not pretend to the stilted dignity which the Commentaries 
contain. We scarce could find a title humble enough to ex- 
press our estimate of our unpretending little book, and our 
chapter on Bridges shall contain no such bug-bear to fu- 
ture school boys as Caesar's was to us. Fair reader! (all 
readers of one's own book are fair) if you have read our 
Preface (which we greatly doubt, and do not strongly ad- 
vise) you will deem it difficult for us to be serious enough 
for History. "To prove the contrary," let the following 
"be submitted to a candid world." (We like, you see, to 
compare little things to great.) 



CHAPTER I. 

HISTORIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. 

[Its Discovery— Exploration — interior penetrated by De Soto — its first Co- 
lony — its occupation by different powers of Europe — Revolution — Gen. 
Jackson and Captain Laval in 1814 — Col. Clinch in 1816 — Cession by 
Spain to U.S. — Gen. Jackson and its succeeding Governors — present 
condition of its Government — Religious Denominations — Judiciary- 
Newspapers — Education — Population — Banks.] 

Florida was discovered in 1497, by Sebastian Cabot, un- 
der the English flag. 



1U iHISTOKIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. [cH. 1. 

Discovery and Exploration— Ponce de Leon. 

Cabot, though the son of a Venetian, wa« born at Bristol. 
He was engaged, with his father, by Henry VII. for the 
discovery of a north, west passage to India, and after touch- 
ing at Prima Vista and St.' John's Island, they sailed as far 
as Cape Florida before their return home. Succeeding voy- 
ages completed the discoveries thus began, a settlement was 
made on the coast of Newfoundland, and Sebastian, by be- 
mg the first among Europeans who touched the new conti- 
nent, established a claim to give his name to those unknown 
regions as well as Americas Vespucius, or Columbus him- 
self. Tho' Cabot was the discoverer of Florida, he did not 
explore the country. 

Ponce de Leon, a Spanish adventurer, was led bv the fic- 
tions of a Carib girl a few years after, to explore the country 
in search of a fountain famed for renovating old age. (He 
was not the first, nor will he be the last old gentleman to be 
led up and down a bootless dance by the fascinations of the 
fair.) Theodore Irving (on whom the elegant mantle of 
his uncle has fallen, and by whom it is so gracefully worn) 
observes, in his finished style, that those who are conver- 
sant with the history of the Spanish discoveries will remem- 
ber the chimerical cruise of the brave old Governor of Porto 
Rico. Ponce de Leon, in search of the fountain ofvouth. 
This fabled fountain, according to Indian tradition, existed 
in one of the Bahama Islands. Ponce de Leon sought after 
it in vain, b ut in the course of his cruisings discovered a coun- 
try of vast and unknown extent, to which, from the abun- 
dance cf flowers, and from its being first seen on Palm Sun- 
day (Pasche Florida) he gave the name of Florida. 

Obtaining permission from the Spanish government to 
subjugate and govern this country, he made a second voy- 
age to its shores, but was mortally wounded in a conflict 
with the natives. Such was the fate of the first adventurer 
into the wild regions of Florida, and he really seems to have 
bequeathed his ill fortune to ins successors. A few years 
after his defeat, a captain of a carnavaL named Diego Mu- 
richo, was driven to the coast of Florida by stress of wea-. 
ther, where he had obtained a small quantity of silver and 
gold in traffic from the natives. With this he returned, well 
pleased to San Domingo, spreading the fame of the coun- 



OH. 1.] HISTORIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. 11 

Discovery and Exploration— Pamphila de Narvaes. 

try be had visited. About the same time a company of 
seven wealthy men of San Domingo concerned in gold 
mines, at th^ head of which was Licentiate Lucus Vasques de 
Aylloa, auditor and judge of appeals of that Island, fitted 
out two vessels to cruise among the islands to entrap In- 
dians to work in the mines. In the course of this righteous 
cruise the vessels were driven by stress of v> either to a 
cape on the east coast, to which they gave the name of 
St. Helena. The country in the neighbourhood was called 
Chicorea, and is the same now called South Carolina. Here 
they anchored at the mouth of a river which they called the 
Jordan, after the name of the sea captain, who discovered 
it. It is the same now known by its Indian appellation, the 
Cambahee. 

[We follow the general opinion, strengthened by the cir- 
cumstance that the neigh bouring Sound and Island are still 
called by the name of St. Helena. Herrera places Cape 
St. Helena and the river Jordan in the thirty second degree 
of latiiude, which is that of Savannah river, vide Herrera, 
D. V. 1 Lib x/c.6.] 

The natives hastened to the shores at sight of the ships, 
which they mistook for huge sea-monsters; but when they 
beheld men issue from them, with white complexions and 
beards, and clad in raiment and shining armors, they fled in 
terror. The poor Indians were kind and hospitable, brought 
provisions to tne ship, and made the strangers presents^of 
martin skins, pearls, and a small quantity of gold and silver. 
The Spaniards gave them trinkets in return, and having com- 
pleted their supplies of wood and water, and provisions, in- 
vited their savage friends on board of the ships. The In- 
dians eagerly accepted the invitation. 

^ Florida was visited a few years after by Pamphila de 
Narvaes — who was born at Valladolid, and" came early to 
America which was then just discovered — sailed in 1528 
with 400 men intending to establish a colony in Florida, dis- 
covered the bay of Pensacola, and having marched into the 
country was never heard of more. Mr. Williams however 
states that he landed without opposition in Appalachee bay: 
and suffered himself to be decoyed into the heart of the coun- 
try in search of gold. On a sudden he found himself en- 



12 



HISTORIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. 



CH. 1.] 



Discovery and Exploration — Hernando de Soto. 

compassed by hostile enemies, who making a desperate at- 
tack, soon routed his forces with great slaughter. De Nar- 
vaez died flighting, few of the Spaniards made good their 
retreat to the vessels, and those were reduced to the neces- 
sity of eating their companions, for want of other food.- 
His progress and cruelty were however traced by subse- 
quent adventurers, especially by Ferdinand de Soto, who in 
1539 disembarked an army in Spirito Santo Bay. 

The talented writer to whom I have before alluded, (T. 
Irving,) observes that never was the spirit of wild adven- 
ture more universally diffused than at the dawn of the six- 
teenth century. Of all the enterprises undertaken in this 
spirit of daring adventure, none has surpassed for hardi- 
hood and variety of incident, that of the renowned Hernan- 
do de Soto and his band of cavaliers. It was poetry put in 
action; it was the knight errantry of the old world carried 
into the depths of the American wilderness; indeed the per- 
sonal adventures, the feats of individual prowess, the pic- 
turesque descriptions of steel clad cavaliers, with lance and 
helm and prancing steed, glittering through the wilderness 
of Florida, Georgia, and the prairies of the far west, would 
seem to us mere fictions of romance, did they not come to 
us recorded in matter of fact narratives of contemporaries, 
and corroborated by minute and daily memoranda of eye 
witnesses. 

Hernando de Soto was of the old Spanish hidalguia. or 
gentry, for we we are assured by one of his biographers 
that "he was a gentleman by all four descents:'' that is to 
say, the parents both of his father and mother were of gen- 
tle blood; a pedigree which, according to the rules of Span- 
ish heraldry, entitled him to admission into the noble order of 
Santiago, Whatever might be the dignity of his descent, 
however, he began bis career a mere soldier of fortune. All 
his estate, says his Portuguese historian, was but a sword 
and buckler. He accompanied Pedrarias Davila. when he 
went to America to assume the command of Terra Firma. 
The merits of De Soto soon gained him command of a 
troop of horse: with these he followed Pizarro in his con- 
querring expedition into Peru. Here he soon signalized 
himself by a rare combination of prudence and valor, he 



CH. 1.] HISTORIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. 



13 



De Soto's interview with Atahualpa, and return to Spain. 

was excellent in council, yet foremost in every perilous ex- 
ploit, not recklessly seeking danger for danger's sake, or 
thro' a vain thirst for notoriety, but bravely putting every 
thing at hazard where any important point was to be gained 
by intrepidity. He was sent by Pizarro on the first embas- 
sy to the renowned and ill fated Inca Atahualpa, whose 
subjects, we are told, were filled with surprise and admira- 
tion on beholding his wonderful feats of horsemanship. He 
afterwards commanded one of the squadrons of horse that 
captured this unfortunate Inca and routed his army of war- 
riors. 

Her rera, (Hist. Ind. Decad. v. 1. 3. c. 10,) says Her- 
nanda de Soto sprang upon his horse, and aware that the 
eyes of the Inca were upon him, he made his steed caracole, 
and striking in his spurs, dashed up so near to the savage 
prince, that he felt the very breath of the snorting animal. 
The haughty Inca was as serene and unmoved as if he had 
been accustomed all his life to the charge of a horse. Many 
of the Indians, however, fled in terror. Atahualpa imme- 
diately ordered the fugitives to appear before him, and 
sternly reprehending them with their cowardice, ordered 
them all to be put to death for having behaved so dastardly 
in his royal presence. 

Hernando de Soto returned to Spain enriched by the 
spoils of the new world; his shares of the treasures of Ata- 
hualpa, having amounted, it is said, to the enormous sum of 
a hundred and eighty thousand crowns of gold. He now 
assumed great state and equipage, f and appeared at the 
court of the Emperor Charles V. at Valladolid, in magnifi- 
cent style, having his steward, his major domo, his master 
of the horse, his pages, lacqueys, and all the other household 
officers that in those ostentatious days, swelled the retinue 
of a Spanish nobleman. He was accompanied by a knot 
of brave cavaliers, all evidently bent on pushing their for- 
tunes at court. Some of them had been his brothers in 
arms in the conquest of Peru, and had returned with their 
purses well filled with Peruvian gold, which they expended 
in soldierlike style, on horses, arms, and "rich array." In 
the magnificent spirit of a Spanish cavalier, he asked per- 
mission of the Emperor to undertake the conquest of Flo- 
2 



14 HISTORIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. [cH. 1. 

De Soto sails from Havana, and lands at Tampa Bay. 

rida at his own expense and risk. This prayer was readily 
granted. The Emperor conferred on him in advance, the 
title of Adelantado, which combines military and civil com- 
mand, and a Marquesite, with an estate thirty leagues in 
length and fifteen in breadth, in any part of the country he 
might discover. He moreover created him Governor and 
Captain General for life of Florida, as well as of the Island 
of Cuba. 

On the 12th May, 1539, Hernando de Soto sailed from 
Havana, on his great enterprise. His squadron consist- 
ed of eight large vessels, a caravel and two brigantines, all 
freighted with ample means of conquest and colonization. 
In addition to the forces brought from Spain, he had been 
joined by many volunteers and recruits in Cuba, (volunteer- 
ing being then, as now, the order of the day,) so that his ar- 
mament, besides the ships' crews, amounted to a thousand 
men, and there were three hundred and fifty horses. It was 
altogether the most splendid expedition that had yet set out 
for the new world. On Whitsunday, the twenty fifth day of 
May, they arrived at the mouth of a deep bay," to which in 
honor of the day, De Soto gave the name of Espiritu San- 
to, which it still retains in some measure, and on some maps, 
altho' it is only spoken of by our fellow- campaigners as 
Tampa Bay, its more modern and frequent appellation. 

A boat was sent on shore to procure grass for the horses. 
The sailors brought off also, a quantity of green grapes, re- 
sembling those of Spain, which had been found growing 
wild in the woods. They were of a kind different from any 
that the Spaniards had seen, either in Mexico or Peru, and 
they regarded them with exultation as proofs of a fruitful 
and pleasant country. 

At length, on the last day of the month, a detachment of 
three hundred soldiers were landed, and took formal posses- 
sion of the country, in the name of Charles V. Not a single 
Indian was to be seen, and the troops remained all night on 
shore, in a state of careless security. Towards the dawn 
of day, however, an immense number of savages broke sud- 
denly upon them with deafening yells; several of the Span- 
iards were wounded with arrows, and many were seized 
with panic. 



CH. 1.] 



HISTORIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. 



15 



Marches through the interior — dies — succeeded by Moscoso. 

De Soto marched through the interior, warred against by 
the Indians, and himself and many of his troop wasted by 
difficulty and disease, and. after turning his steps towards 
the Mississippi, died at the end of three years, near the 
mouth of the Red River. Mr. Irving, whom I have already 
cited, remarks, that thus died Hernando de Soto; one of the 
boldest, and the bravest of the many brave leaders who fig- 
ured in the first discoveries, and distinguished themselves 
in the wild warfare of the Western world. How proud and 
promising had been the commencement of his career! how 
humble and hapless its close! cut off in the very vigor and 
manhood of his days, for he was but forty-two years old 
when he expired; perishing in a strange and savage land, 
amid the din and tumult of a camp, and with merely a few 
rough soldiers to attend him; for nearly all were engaged in 
the preparations making for their escape in this perilous 
situation. 

Of the Spaniards who survived him, we will only add, 
that, under Louis de Moseoso, whom de Soto had nomina- 
ted to succee i him in authority, they commenced their march 
to the westward — there received vague tidings of Euro- 
peans — wandered in a wilderness and found themselves in 
the hunting ground of the far West — commenced building 
brigantines and embarked on the Mississippi — continued 
the voyage down the river — -found themselves in the territo- 
ry of Mexico, and were joyfully received at the to wn of Pa- 
nuco. There the Corregidor took Moscoso into his house, 
as a guest; and his followers were quartered among the in- 
habitants, who were touched with pity at beholding this for- 
lorn remnant of the gallant armament that had created such 
a noise on its outset from Cuba, The survivors in fact were 
blackened, haggard, shrivelled and half naked — being clad 
only with the skies of deer, buffaloes, bears and other ani- 
mals, so that (says the Spanish historian) they looked more 
like wild beasts than human beings. They then proceeded 
to the city of Mexico where some accepted appointments 
under the viceroy for a future visit to Florida, but most of 
them shrun iiing a country where they had suffer- 

ed such hardships, which reluctance prevails in 1838. Some 
returned to Soain; others entered into the Priesthood — a 



lb HISTORIC SKFTCH OF FLORIDA. [cH. 1. 

First Colony planted— St. Augustine built. 

few remained in New Spain, but the greatest number went 
to seek their fortunes in Peru. 

Mr. Williams, however, states that the Spaniards, with- 
out a leader, could not long sustain a warlike attitude; they 
retired to the coast of the Appalachee bay; where they, 
for some time, sustained themselves by hunting and fishing; 
at length they were, by necessity, reduced to manual la- 
bour. The country was fertile, self preservation obliged 
them to treat the natives with respect, and they, of course, 
became friendly. The impression made on them by Soto, 
paved the way for conciliatory feelings: success and pros- 
perity were the consequence; the Spanish population soon 
spread over the fine country betwixt the Oclockney and Su- 
wannee rivers; and by intermarriages, and good example, 
they induced many of the natives to adopt the arts of civil- 
ized life. Wholly lost to, or neglected by the mother coun- 
try, they grew up in the wilderness of Florida, planted 
towns, extended highways, and built fortifications, whose 
ruins still cover the country. Becoming effiminate, they at 
length fell a prey to the Seminoles, Moscogees, and other 
northern tribes, perhaps one hundred and thirty years ago. 

The first colony in Florida was planted by Ribaultr a 
Frenchman, in 1562, near the mouth of the river St. John, 
but these Protestants of France, who had fled from persecu- 
tions in Europe, were exterminated by Menendez in 1564. 
Dominique de Gorgues, in 1568, revenged the Protestants 
and hung the murderers on the same branches from which 
depended the bleached skeletons of his copatriots. 

In 1565, St. Augustine was built, and is the oldest town 
on the continent of North America, except the Mexican set- 
tlements. Sir Francis Drake in 1586 pillaged the town, as 
did the Indians in 1611, and Capt. Davis, in the piratical 
spirit of the times, once more desolated the place. In the 
year 1702, Gov. Moore, of South-Carolina, as is stated by Dr. 
Ramsay, (one of the first and best of American Histo- 
rians) conducted an expedition against St. Augustine, the 
capital of Florida. This consisted of six hundred militia 
men, and an equal number of Indians. The enterprise be- 
ing without any proper naval support, was abandoned, on 
the appearance of a small Spanish marine force, in the 



CH. 1.] 



HISTORIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. 



17 



Occupation by different powers — Gen. Oglethorpe's Expedition. 

vicinity of St. Augustine. Though it was abortive, and 
of short duration, it cost the infant colony six thousand 
pounds sterling. From this period till the peace of Paris, 
1763, the Spaniards planned sundry expeditions, for the re- 
covery of South Carolina and Georgia, both of which they 
claimed as belonging to Florida. These were thrice retort- 
ed against St. Augustine and Florida; but in every instance, 
and on both sides, proved abortive as to conquest, or settle- 
ment of boundary. They produced an immensity of indi- 
vidual distress, without any national benefit. 

From Lawso&'s Voyage to Carolina, printed in the early 
part of the 18th century, the following is extracted. 

"They have a well disciplined militia; their horse are 
most gentlemen, and well mounted, and the best in Ameri- 
ca, and may equalize any in other parts: their officers, 
both infantry and cavalry, generally appear in scarlet 
mountings, and as rich as in most regiments belonging to the 
crown, which shows the richness and grandeur of this colo- 
ny. They are a frontier, and prove such troublesome 
neighbours to the Spaniards, that they have once laid their 
town of St. Augustine in ashes, and drove away their cattle, 
besides many engagements, in which they have defeated 
them, too tedious to relate here." 

It may not be uninteresting to the reader to be reminded 
that Lawson died by the hands of the savages, of whom 
he entertained a too favorable opinion, and who, in revenge 
for pretended injuries, roasted him alive, as is narrated in 
Catesby's Natural History. 

In 1740, Gen. Oglethorpe, with a large force from Sa* 
vannah, was repulsed. Gen. O. (at once a hero, states- 
man, orator, the patron of letters, the chosen friend of Pe- 
terborough, Marlboro', Eugene and Argyie, and the theme 
of praise for Johnson, Pope and Thomson) found his 
plans of improvement for his colony of Georgia (one of 
which was the introduction of the Olive) frustrated by the 
alarm of Spanish and Indian wars. The benign legislator 
and magistrate, who had rivalled Penn in the arts of peace 
and in acts of mercy, then resumed at once the habits of 
his youth, and approved himself the hardy, daring and ad- 
venturous soldier. By his unwearied activity, and the ex- 



18 HISTORIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. [cH. 1. 

Act of Assembly of South-Carolina in 1742. 

ample of his personal courage, not less than by his military 
skill and enterprize, in the laborious Southern campaign of 
1740 and 1742, he repelled the inroads of a far superior 
enemy, who threatened the subjugation of Georgia, and the 
devastation of the Carolinas. 

In the month of June (1742) the new colony of Georgia 
was invaded by an armament from St. Augustine, com- 
manded by Don Manuel de Monteano, Governor of that 
fortress. It consisted of thirty -six ships, from which 4006 
men were landed at St. Simons', and began their march to 
Frederica. Gen. Oglethorpe, with a handful of men, took 
such wise precautions for opposing their progress, and har- 
assing them; they met with such activity and resolution, 
that after two of their detachments had been defeated, they 
retired to their ships, and totally abandoned their enter . 
prise.* 

On the 10th day of July, 1742, an Act of Assembly was 
passed in South-Carolina, "for the immediate relief of the 
Colony of Georgia, and for the defence of this Province." 
The preamble recites, that " Whereas a considerable body 
of Spanish troops are already actually landed in the Colony 
of Georgia, and a large fleet of Spanish ships and vessels 
are hovering upon these coasts, so that there is an absolute 
necessity, with all possible expedition, to fit out ships and 
raise a number of forces sufficient (with the divine assis- 
tance) to repel his Majesty's enemies, and to contribute the 
utmost of our power to the defence of the Colony of Geor- 
gia and this Province. And whereas, it is impracticable in 
the time of immediate danger, to levy a sufficient sum by 
taxes on the inhabitants, to answer the purposes aforesaid. 
And whereas, nothing but the apparent and inevitable ruin 



* Smollet's England, reign of George 2d. 

The history of this campaign, and that of the preceding one, is given in 
a much more detailed manner in M'Call's History of Georgia, and in Dr. 
Trumbull's History of the United States. For a very flattering and elo^ 
quent sketch of Gen. Oglethorpe, see a discourse before the N. Y Historic 
Society, by the polished and learned Mr. Verplanck, a chief of that ele- 
gant and enlightened literary coterie, which has accomplished more tow- 
ards conferring on New- York the enduring renown of being "the great 
city," than all her wealth, population, industry and enterprise, great as 
these undoubtedly are. Mr. Verplanck is but one of the many Roscoes of 
this American Liverpool . 



cm l.] 



HISTORIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. 



19 



Si. Augustine Evacuated — Pensacola Founded. 

with which these Colonies are immediately threatened, 
could have induced us to engage in measures which have 
met with his Majesty's approbation. We humbly hope for 
and implore his Majesty's royal favour and indulgence in 
this great exigency, and therefore pray his most sacred 
Majesty, that it may be enacted: And be it enacted by the 
Hon. William Bull, Esq., Lieutenant Governor and Com- 
mander-in-chief, in and over this Province, by and with the 
advice and consent of his Majesty's Honorable Council, 
and the Commons House of Assembly of this Province, 
and by the authority of the same." The act then proceeds 
to direct Commissioners hereinafter named, to procure two 
sets of orders to be stamped equal to the sum of £63,000 
current money of the Province: these orders to be delivered 
to the public Treasurer, to be paid to the Commissary- 
General r Captains, and other officers employed in the ser- 
vice aforesaid. The act further directs muster rolls to be 
kept of the men to be employed in the service, and that the 
orders should be applied solely to defray the charges of the 
assistance intended to be given to the Colony of Georgia, 
and for the defence of this Province.* 

St. Augustine was evacuated by the Spaniards in 1763, 
and the peace of Paris, of that year, gave the Floridas to 
Great Britain, and it greatly improved 'till 1784, when it 
again reverted to Spain. During its occupancy by the 
Spaniards, neglect and consequent decay attended it, and at 
the period of the cession to the United States, its appearance 
was ruinous and unprepossessing. 

Pensacola was founded previous to 1696 ; was in that 
year taken from the French by Riola, and in 1699 Mon- 

* See also the report of the committee of both Houses of Assembly of 
South-Carolina, on the disappointment of the expedition to St. Augustine, 
under the command of Gen. Oglethorpe, 1 vol. folio. Charleston, 1742. 
We regret that our limits do not permit us to extract from this and 
other articles, in connection with this volume; but our regret is greatly 
diminished by perceiving, as we do with pleasure, that B. R. Carroll, 
Esq. (the highly intelligent and able Editor of the Southern Agricul- 
turist) is preparing for publication an edition of rare and valua- 
ble works, embracing a full and authentic account of the early history of 
South-Carolina. Mr. Carroll intends prefacing the edition with an Intro- 
ductory Discourse from his own pen, embracing an exact account of the 
early Spanish, French, and English voyages to Florida. In such hands, 
such a work will be truly interesting. 



20 



HISTORIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. [cH. L 



Revolution— Col. Nichol's Expedition- 

sieur D'Iberville failed in his attempt to retake it. In 1719, 
it was three times captured and recaptured, and at length 
retained by France, but in 1722. was restored to Spain. " 

In consequence of the revolution which had broken out 
in the northern district of Florida, an Act of Congress was 
passed inthe year 1810, under which Gen. Mathewes was 
authorized by the Executive to proceed to the frontiers of 
Georgia, to accept possession of East Florida from the lo- 
cal authorities, or to take it against the attempt of a foreign 
power to occupy it; holding it, in either case, subject to fu- 
ture and friendly negociation. The government of St. Au- 
gustine becoming alarmed, appealed to the British Ministry 
at Washington, who expostulated with Mr. Monroe, then 
Secretary of State. Gen. Mathewes, taking possession of 
Amelia and other parts of East Florida, was officially 
blamed, and his commission revoked in 1812, and the Gov- 
ernor of Georgia was commissioned in his place, in conse- 
qnence of Gen. Mathewes having employed the troops* of 
the United States to dispossess the Spanish authority by 
force. 

The t revolution commenced in March, 1812, and spread 
desolation over the Province ; and on the 6th March, 1813, 
the assailants were withdrawn, and Fernandina restored to 
the Spanish authorities. In August of the same year, hos- 
tilities recommenced, and the insurgents captured and retain- 
ed the territory lying to the West and North of St. John's 
River. 

In the month of August, 1814, Col. Nichols brought into 
the Bay of Pensacola, a British fleet, from which he manned 
the forts of Banrancas and St. Michael with troops, and 
hoisted the British flag. On the 31st, he published a ' pro- 
clamation, dated at Head Quarters, Pensacola, in which he 
calls on the people of Louisiana and Kentucky to join his 
standard, and release themselves from the slavish yoke of 
the United States. The Indians were abundantly furnished 
with arms and ammunition, and commissioned to butcher 
the defenceless inhabitants of the frontier States. Ten dol- 
lars a piece were offered for the scalps of men, women, or 
children. 

On the 6th of November, General Jackson, with five 



CH. 1.] 



HISTORIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. 



21 



Gen. Jackson storms forts St. Bernard and St. Michael. 

thousand Tennessee militia, and a considerable Indian 
force, arrived in the neighbourhood of Pensacola, and sent 
Major Pierre with a flag, to inform Governor Marequez of 
the object of his visit. On approaching one of the fortifi- 
cations, the flag was fired on by the cannon of the fort, on 
which the Major returned. General Jackson, with the Ad- 
jutant General and a small escort, immediately reconnoi- 
tred the fort, and found it manned with British and Spanish 
soldiers. He returned, encamped for the night, and 
prepared to carry the town by storm. On the, morn- 
ing of the 7th, he marched with the regulars of the 
third, thirty-ninth, and forty-fourth infantry, part of General 
Coffee's brigade, the Mississippi dragoons, part of the West 
Tennessee regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel 
Hammond, and part of the Choctaws, commanded by Major 
Blue, of the thirty-ninth, and Major Kennedy, of the Missis- 
sippi troops. 

Jackson had encamped on the north side of the town, on 
the Blakely road, which passed by the forts St. Bernard 
and St. Michael. The British naturally supposed, that the 
attack would be made from that quarter, and were prepared 
to rake the road with their batteries. To cherish this idea, 
a part of the mounted men were ordered to shew themselves 
in that direction, while the army marched past the rear 
of the forts, to the east of the town, undiscovered, 'till within 
a mile of the streets. They were now fully exposed to Fort 
St. Michael on the right, and seven armed vessels on the 
left ; several block houses and batteries of cannon defended 
the streets. They, however, marched into the town with 
perfect firmness, and with trifling loss. As the centre col- 
umn, composed of the regulars, entered, a battery of two 
cannon was opened on it, with ball and grape, and a show- 
er of musketry from the houses and fences. They had 
made but three fires, when the battery was stormed by Capt. 
Laval.* 

*3Ir. Williams, in his excellent views of West Florida, says : "This 
promising officer was killed in the act of storming the battery." We state 
with great gratification, and we are quite sure Mr W . will learn with no 
less pleasure, that the gallant Laval is at this present writing, perfectly 
alive. He has this day told us so himself, and being a high and honorable 
gentleman, it would be cruel to doubt him. After having filled many m> 



W HISTORIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. [cH. 1. 

Gen. Gaines and Col. Clinch in 1816. 

The fire of the regulars soon silenced the musketry. 
The principal fortifications of the harbour being destroyed at 
Pensacola, Gen. Jackson evacuated the town, after holding 
possession only two davs. 

The Spaniards immediately commenced rebuilding the 
fortifications at Barrancas, in 'which Nicholls proffered his 
assistance, but the Governor answered him. that when he 
needed any assistance, he would call on his friend Gen. 
Jackson. The whole conduct of the General, says Wil- 
liams, appears to have been satisfactory to the Spaniards. 
At parting, he notified them, if any injury had been done to 
private property, to draw on him for payment : no demands 
were made. 

About the 1st of August. Col. Clinch received advice from 
Gen. Gaines, that he had ordered a supply of provisions, 
two eighteen pounders, a five inch howitzer, and a quantity 
of ordnance stores, to ascend the Apalachicola river to 
Camp Crawford; and in case any opposition should be made 
by the negro fort, he was instructed to reduce it. He im- 
mediately despatched Laforka. an Indian Chief, to the bav, 
for intelligence. He returned on the 15th, with news of the 
arrival of Lieutenant Eoomis in the bay, with two gun ves- 
sels, and two transports, laden with provisions, ordnance, 
stores, ccc. On the 17th. the Colonel ascended the river 
with one hundred and sixteen chosen men, in two compa- 
nies, the one commanded by Major Muhlenburg, and the 
other by Captain Taylor. On the same evening, he was 
joined by Major M'lnlosh, with one^hundred and fifty In- 
dians: and the next day, by Captain Isaacs and Mad Tyger. 
with a large body of Indians badly armed. The meeting 
was accicKutal : the Indians were on a long projected ex- 
pedition against the negroes, with an intention of resto. 
them to their owners. A council was held, and an agree- 
ment entered into respecting the campaign.' The Indians 
were ordered to keep parties in advance, "and secure every 
negro that could be found. The Indians demanded a sur- 



portant appointments by the United States and this State, he is now Comp- 
troller General of South-Carolina: and we trust he will live to a green ofd 
age, to gladden his many friends with his presence, and to benefit his coun- 
try, as he has already often done, by his very valuable services 



CH. 1.] 



HISTORIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. 



23 



Indian and Negro Disturbances. 

render of the forts, but were treated with great contempt by 
the negroes, who hoisted a red flag, with the English jack 
over it. On the 26th, they arrived within four miles of the 
fort, and the Colonel (Clinch) went on board the gun boat 
149. , After reconnoitering the river in company with the 
commander of the boat, he ordered Major Muhlenberg and 
Captain Taylor to cross over to the west side of the river 
with their companies, to erect a battery; while Lieutenant 
M. Garrick, with a party of men, and the main body of In- 
dians, were left to secure the rear. The battery was imme- 
diately commenced; the vessels were ordered up, and the 
transport Similante was directed to be in readiness to land 
the artillery under cover of the night. At 6 in the morn- 
ing, the two gun boats sailed up in handsome style, and 
made fast near the battery. In a few minutes after, they 
received a shot from a 32 pounder; it was immediately 
returned in a gallant manner. On the 5th discharge, a hot 
shot from gun boat No. 154, entered the magazine, and 
blew up the fort. The explosion was awful, and the scene 
horrible beyond description. The fort contained about one 
hundred men, and two hundred women and children : not 
more than one sixth part were saved. The cries of the 
wounded, and the yells of the Indians, rendered the confusion 
most dreadful. 

The property taken and destroyed, amounted to two 
hundred thousand dollars. Three thousand stand of arms, 
and six hundred barrels of powder, were destroyed : one 
magazine, containing one hundred and sixty -three barrels 
of powder, was saved. The negro force had been rapidly 
increasing from runaways; their fields extended fifty miles 
up the river. The Choctaw Chief, and the negro comman* 
dant, named Garcon, were put to death by the Indians. 
On the 30th, the ordnance and stores were sent to Camp 
Crawford, in small boats. On the 1st of September, Col. 
Clinch received notice that a large Seminole force was de- 
scending the river to attack him. He immediately placed 
himself in a position to receive them, but they dispersed 
without making an attack, or even showing themselves. 

The republic of Florida, as it was called, fell into a state 
of anarchy, and so remained till August, 1816. At that 



24 



HISTORIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. 



[CH. I. 



Clarke and Bell's complimentary notices of the Floridians. 

period, preparations were making on the Maine for a de- 
scent on Fernandina. Governor Coppinger, who had late- 
ly received the command of the province, authorized a plan 
of reconciliation and restoration to order, which plan was 
proposed by George I. F. Clarke, Esq., Surveyor General 
of East Florida, and Lieutenant Governor of the Northern 
district of that province, while under the dominion of Spain. 
Mr. Clarke tendered the people a distribution of all the ter- 
ritory lying between St. John's river and St. Mary's, into 
three districts, to be called Nassau, Upper and Lower St. 
Mary's. A Magistrate's Court, and a company of militia 
in each; elections of officers from the mass of the people of 
each, &c; and oblivion of the past. 

These proposals were received with general satisfaction, 
and in a few hours, a territory, containing, as it is said, about 
one-half of the then population of East Florida, was brought 
to order. 

I can readily conceive the indignation that must have 
fired the eye, flushed the cheek, and quivered on the lip, of 
the gentlemen of Florida, at the perusal of Gen. Scott's re- 
cent remarks in derogation of Floridian valour. And as an 
act of justice to the citizens of that territory, as well as in 
continuation of our historic sketch, we here cite the re- 
marks of Mr. Clarke, (to whom we heretofore referred) 
which stand out in bright contrast to those of Gen. Scott. 
"Where but in this meritorious division can it be said, that 
any part of, or the whole physical force, of three districts, 
have never failed to meet, at the earliest notice, and that 
cheerfully, to execute any orders given, armed, mounted, 
and victualled, each at his own expense, and without any 
pay? A people, 27 of whom sought for, gave battle to, and 
drove from the field above 100 of M'Gregor's men, in a 
body, commanded by Irvin, in sight of their own quarters, 
without losing one drop of blood." 

Capt. Peter Bell, Secretary of the province in 1821, in a 
letter from St. Augustine, calls the Floridians a virtuous 
and industrious people, and adds, that "the time is not far 
distant, when, under the favoring influence of the American 
Constitution, the virtues of the ancient inhabitants and pro- 
prietors of Florida will be duly appreciated." 



CH. 1.] HISTORIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. 25 

Cession of Florida to the U. S. — Gen. Jackson appointed Governor. 

A treaty of amity, settlement, and limits, was at length 
concluded between his Catholic Majesty and the United 
States, by which the two Flpridas and the adjacent Islands 
were ceded to the latter. West Florida then extended 
ufestwardly to the Apalachicola river. The exchange of 
flags under this treaty, took place on the 17th of June, 1821, 
when Gen. Jackson was appointed Governor of the Flori- 
das, with very ample legislative, judicial, and executive 
powers. 

Governor Jackson removed the dividing line between East 
and West Florida, from the Apalachicola to the Suwanee 
rrver, thus rendering them more equal in size, and esta- 
blished in each, courts with civil and criminal jurisdiction. 
Ac the same time, he published several ordinances for their 
direction in the distribution of public justice. We extract 
the following from a pamphlet, published by W T . Riley, 
Charleston, 1822; and attributed to my esteemed acquaint- 
ance, Col. James Gadsden, who is distinguished, not only 
for the possession of much valuable knowledge, but also by 
the kind alacrity wherewith he communicates it. 

"On the reduction of the army in 1821, General Jackson 
was gratified with the opportunity of retiring from it; but the 
President again demanded his services in the capacity of 
Governor of Florida, then recently ceded to the United 
States. General Jackson accepted the appointment, with 
the understanding that he might retire as soon as the Gov- 
ernment was organized. Aware that he had a most ar- 
duous duty to perform; invested by an act of Congress, with 
all the powers of the Spanish Governor, and Captain Gene- 
ral of Cuba; he exercised his prerogatives in behalf of the 
best interests of the new acquired territor}^, and uniformly 
in protection of the rights of our adopted citizens. By the 
stipulations of the treaty, all papers relating to the sover- 
eignty, and the property of the Province, were to be deliv- 
ered up to the American authorities. Some of the most 
important, however, relating to property, were withheld (for 
what motives it is unimportant to inquire) by the former 
Governor, who, fortunately for the United States and her 
citizens, had not yet removed from the territory. On the 
knowledge of the facts, Governor Jackson demanded their 
3 



26 HISTOKIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. [ C H. 1. 

Retirement of Gen. Jackson— His Successors. 

surrender, and being positively refused, resorted to such 
measures as the case seemed imperiously to demand. The 
papers were taken possession of both atPensacola and St. 
Augustine, and filed among the public archives of the 
territory; while the former Governor, Calava, of West Flo- 
nda, who had been summoned before General Jackson, then 
acting m capacity of Supreme Judge, displayed so much 
indecorum in his presence, as to compel the General in 
support of his public authority, to remand him to gaol for 
contempt of Court. After a few hours confinement, during 
which he was treated with -becoming respect by the police 
officer of the day, Calava was dismissed, and by this arrest, 
respect for public authority was supported, and the rights 
of the citizens and territory maintained. 

"Since the commissioners for adjusting land claims in Flo- 
nda have met, it has been discovered that the papers seized 
by Genera] Jackson were of the most essential value. With- 
out them the grantees of land would have been deprived of 
all evidence of their claims, and the United States defraud- 
ed, in some cases, of immense districts of country, and left 
with little more under the cession from Spain, than the sov- 
ereignty of Florida. Having organized the government of 
Florida, General Jackson again sought on his farm the re- 
tirement of private life." 

On the 30th of March, 1822, Congress passed an act. 
creating into a territory the two Fioridas, and his Excel- 
lency Wra. P. Duval was appointed Governor. He was 
succeeded by John H. Eaton, in 1834, who. in 1836 being 
made minister to Spain, was succeeded by Gov. Call. 

Present and contemplated improvements in this section. 

First, is the Rail Road between Tallahassee and St. Marks 
actually commenced. Second, two steam boat companies 
have joined in order to transport passengers by a speedy 
and cheap conveyance from New- York to New Orleans via 
Jacksonville, for the contemplation of which object, a Rail 
Road is to be cut from Jacksonville to a fort on the Gulph, 
near Vacassar Bay. A third is a contemplated Rail Road 
trom Pensacola to Columbus, in Georgia. A more feasible 
one although distant, is a Rail Road from Jacksonville, 270 
miles, through Tallahassee westward, to the Choctawhochie 



CH. 1.] HISTORIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. 



Condition and Government of Florida. 



river. It is also contemplated to clear the shoals in the 
Chattahouc'iie river, which impede the navigation in sum- 
mer to Columbus, and lastly, a canal from the Chipola, to 
connect the Apalachicola river with St. Andrews Bay, is 
still spoken ot although for the present suspended until a 
more favorable moment. 

PRESENT CONDITION OF FLORIDA. 
Government, — The present Governor of Florida is J. K. 
Call— Salary 82.500. Secretary, Geo. K Walker— 1,500. 

The Governors of Florida are appointed by the Presi- 
dent of tlfe United States, with the consent of the Senate — 
for three years. 

Religious Denominations. — The Episcopalans have four 
ministers; the Presbyterians 2; the Methodists 2: the Ro- 
man (jatholics, 2; 

*Newspaj>er^. — There are 7 newspapers published in Flo- 
rida— 1 at Augustine, 1 at Jacksonville, 2 at Tallahassee, 
1 at Pensacola, 1 at Appalachicola, and 1 at Key-West.* 
Judiciary. 

Judges. Salary. Attorneys. Marshalls. 



W.F. 
M. F. 
E. F. 
S. F. 



J. A. Cameron. 81800 
Th. Randall, 
Robt. Reid, 
Is. Webb, [ 2,300 



Geo. A Walker. 
J. D. Westcott, 
Th. Douglass, 
Wm. Marvin, 



J. W. Evans. 
T. E. Randolph. 
S. Blair. 
T. H. Eastin. 



The territory now comprises 19 counties; and the coun- 
ty courts consist of the Judges of the respective counties; 
and they have a limited civil jurisdiction in all matters re- 

* Anot her paper is about to be established at St. Augustine, by one of the 
gallant Volunteers to Florida, of whom the talented editor of the Columbia 
Telescope, (a most judicious judge on most subjects) expresses the follow- 
ing opinion, in which wecordially concur: 

The Florida Inielli g encer. — In giving a place in our columns to the pros- 
pectus of the paper, which 3Ir. Cocke is about to establish in St. Augustine, 
we are bound to add our testimony in favor of the zeal and fidelity with 
which the former editorial career of that gentleman, assures us he will 
perform the duty which he u ndertakes, both as to the immediate communi- 
ty of which he becomes a member, and as to t hat part of the public else- 
where who may desire the earliest and most authentic information of what 
passes in the existing seat of war. 3Ir. Cocke, let him fix himself where 
h- 3 may. is sure to be. as a citizen, the zealous and loyal defender of the 
community in which he ca*ts his lor — a friend every where, of the people 
agajaat power — a guardian uf the public rights, equally vigilant, indepen- 
d ni and fearless. 



28 



HISTOKIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. 



CH, 



Courts — Education-— Population. 



lating to estates, testate and intestate, and to guardians 
wards, and orphans and their estates, 

The stated sessions of the District Superior Court are held 
on the first Monday in May and November; in the Western 
District, at Pensacola; and in the Southern at Kev Wen 
A court of Appeals composed of the Judges of the Superior 
Courts holds one session annually at Tallahassee, commerc- 
ing on the first Monday in January; the decision of which is 
nnal when the amount in controversy does not exceed $ 1000 

Education.— No system of education is yet matured and 
no funds are realized for the use of common schools. Two 
townships of land, consisting of 46,080 acres have been re- 
served by Congress for the Territory, which are as yet un- 
available, but it is expected they will eventually produce a 
sufficient fund for founding a College. Besides these lands, 
each county is entitled by act of Congress to the 16th sec- 
tion, or 640 acres in every township of 23,040 acres for the 
use of common schools, 
™ POPULATION, &c. 

Table of the Counties-their location-their population-their Towns, and 
the distances of those Towns from Tallahassee and Washington, ' 



Counties and their locations. 



West , 
Florida. - 



Middle 
Florida. 



I JNassau, 
L St- John's, 
South ( Monroe, 
Florida. ( Dade, 



"Escambia, 
" Jackson, 
Walton, 
Washington, 
> Franklin, 
"Gadsden, 
' Hamilton, 
Columbia. 
Jefferson, 
Leon, 
[ Madison, 
f Alachua, 
j Duvall, 



1 

i 



IS. W 

w. 

N. W. 
IV T . w 

N. W. 
N. W, 

W. 
N, E. 

N. E. 
E. 

S. W. 
S. E. 



Total, 



Pop'n. 


C'y. Towns. 


Distance. 
fmT. | fmW 


3386 


IPensacola. 


242 


1050 




iMariana. 


77 


927 


6092 


lAlaqua. 

1 Holmes' valley 


161 


1011 




121 


971 




IFort Gadsden. 




4894 ~ 


Quincy. 


23 


873 


553 


Miccotown. 


70 


995 




Tolosa. 




3312 


Montlcello. 


29 


925 


6493 


Tallahassee. 




896 


525 


Hickstown. 


45 


941 


2204 


Dell's. 


178 


S75 


1970 


Jacksonville. 


252 


801 


733 


Tomoka. 




1511 


Fernandina. 


313 


776 


2535 


St. Augustine. 


292 


841 


517 


Key West. 


455 


Indian Key. 







34723 — of whom 15,510 are slaves. 



Banks.— Central Bank of Florida, at Tallahassee; Com- 
mercial Bank, at Apalachicoja ; Florida Bank, at Talkv 



CH. 1.] HISTORIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. 



29 



Banks, &c. 

hassee, Merchants Bank, at Magnolia: Pensacola Bank,, at 
Pensacola: Apalachicola Bank, at Apalachicola. 

The Union Bank of Florida was chartered in 1833 — 
commenced operations January 15th. 1835. with a capital 
of one million, and with the privilege of increasing it to 
83.000,000 — which capital shall be raised by means of a loan 
on the faith of the Territory, by the Directors of the Bank. 
Stockholders are to be owners of real estate in the Territo- 
ry, and bonds and mortgages given upon their real estate, 
to ensure their subscriptions. Holders are entitled to dam- 
ages at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum, should the Bank 
refuse specie. 

The charter of the Southern Life Insurance and Trust 
Company of St. Augustine, (E. F.) was confirmed by the 
Territorial Government in the winter of 1835. The books 
for subscription to the capital stock, were opened last No- 
vember, and the stock was readily taken, leaving an over 
subscription to a large amount. Its capital is two millions, 
with liberty to increase it to 4,000,000. The stock is re- 
quired to be paid in. within three years. Only one instal- 
ment of ten per cent, has yet been called in. It has the 
power to make insurance on lives, to grant and purchase 
annuities, to receive monies in trust, and to loan upon real 
and personal estate — with a banking power to buy, discount 
and sell bills and notes, to issue bills and to establish branch- 
es. By one of the charters, we see, they first loan upon 
rea 1 and personal security, which they will commence doing 
as soon as the state of affairs in Florida will permit. As 
yet they have done little except to cash short drafts and 
exchange. They will loan upon bond and mortgage for a 
length of time — several years — thus giving the Planter time 
to pay, from the produce of the soil, for facilities, the use of 
which, he has been enabled to anticipate. The beneficial 
results of this course to the country, are very evident, and 
they will be doubly so, (when the Indian disturbances 
cease) as the country has been impoverished, Planters driv- 
en from their plantations, and their houses destroyed. Ma- 
ny will, through this means, be able to raise funds to carry 
on their operations, w T ho otherwise must have been obliged 
to abandon them. Mr. Clark, a gentleman well known for 
3* 



60 HISTORIC SKETCH OF FLORIDA. [ C H. I. 

Life Insurance and Trust Company. 

his worth and respectability of character, is the President of 
this msitution— in whose financial reputation the public have 
a sufficient guaranty for its safe and judicious management. 
Its Cashier, Mr. A. M. Reed, is a highly intelligent gentle- 
man, familiarly conversant with the practice and principles 
of banking, and distinguished, no less by the elegance of his 
manners, than by the amiableness of his disposition. 
They have a board of thirteen Directors, three of whom are 
to be appointed by the Territorial Government. Among 
its stockholders, it ranks many gentlemen of the first res- 
peetability and wealth in most of the Northern cities, in 
Charleston, and in Augusta. Arrangements have been 
made by which its bills are current in New York, Baltimore. 
Charleston,. Augusta, Savannah; and we doubt not they will 
be made redeemable at some few other points, and their 
currency throughout the country completely effectuated. 
A Trust Company of this character appears to be parti- 
cularly adapted to the wants of a new country like Flor- 
ida, where there is much rich and productive land yet un- 
reclaimed or uncultivated, and where capital, aided* by en- 
terprize, is required to bring forth its hidden treasures. When 
once this Institution, and others, and all contemplated im- 
provements, get _ into full blast, the facilities which will 
be afforded the industrious and enterprizing to carry on 
their operations, will, we doubt not, give an impetus and life 
to business, which will be felt throughout the entire Territory. 
That no rifle but that of the sportsman may ring through 
her thick foliaged forests, that their magnificent laurels may 
crown, not hammocks but heroes, that the olive may flour- 
ish o'er her fertile fields, as an appropriate emblem that the 
blood-stained tomahawk of war may be soon and forever 
"in the deep bosom of the" woodlands "buried" — and the 
calumet of peace long send up its gracefully curling and 
azure smoke to blend harmoniously with the blue, the beau- 
tiful, and serene skies of Florida, is the ardent hope of the 
author of this Historic Sketch, who, knowing from personal 
observation, that country and its occupants, must needs 
highly appreciate the former, and sincerely admire and 
esteem the latter. 



CHAPTER II. 



HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. 

[Ancient possessors of Florida, Seminole, meaning of the word — origin of 
that People — Yemasees — connection of their history with that of South 
Carolina and Georgia — the Spanish and British Systems — first disorga- 
nization of Florida Indians — Hostilities in the South — Tecumseh — he 
enlists the Creeks — Gen. Jackson — Col. Coffee — Border Warfare — Dim- 
can 3IcKrimmon captured by the Prophet Francis — saved by Milly. 
(Francis' daughter) — Gen. Jackson's Seminole Campaign.] 

The Palarches, Eamuses and Kaloosas, were the ancient 
possessors of Florida, and are all extinct, The present 
Florida Indians are the remains of that ancient and warlike 
tribe on the Mississippi, which being almost extirpated by 
the French, retreated along the Northern coast of the Gulf 
of Mexico, and united with broken bands of Biloxies, Red 
Sticks, and runaway Creeks, called Seminoles. The largest- 
portion of these Indians are Lower Creeks, and are of the 
most dissolute, daring, and abandoned of that tribe. 

The word Seminole signifies a wanderer or runaway, or 
it means a wild people or outsettlers, the ancestors of the 
tribe having detached themselves from the main body of 
the Creeks, and dwelt remotely, wherever the inducements 
of more game, or greater scope for freedom of action, might 
casually lead them. They settled in Florida about 115 
years ago. 

That this is the period of their becoming a separate com- 
munity, is confirmed by the connection of their history 
with that of the Yemasees, of whom there occur frequent 
notices in the account of the early settlement of Georgia 
and South Carolina. 

In a talk, which the Seminoles about the year 1820, 
transmitted to the American government, they say, alluding 
to their ancient independence; "An hundred summers have 
seen the Seminole warrior reposing undisturbed under the 
shade of his live oak, and the suns of an hundred winters 
have risen on his ardent pursuit of the buck and the bear, 
with none to question his bounds, or dispute his range." 

The greater part of East Florida appears to have been 



originally in possessioo of the Yemasees— a powerful peo- 
ple, who not only occupied this province, but spread them- 
selves over Georgia, and into the limits of South Carolina, 
which on its first demarcation was bounded on the Sou + h 
by the Altamaha. Some of the tribes resided within the 
present limits oi that State, in and about Beaufort end Sa- 
vannah River, and also the Sea Islands. Bartram relates 
that these people, after a hardy contest, and manv bloodv 
defeats, were "entirely exterminated bv their ancient ene- 
mies the Creeks, who had a tradition, that a beautiful -acp 
of Indians, whese women thev called Daughters of the Son 
resided amidst the recesses of the 2 reat Oafce^nokee wil- 
derness, where they enjoyed perpetual felicity, in <wer 
blooming islands, inaccessible to human approach.' 

Bartram with probability supposes, that this fable took its 
rise from a fugitive remnant of the Yemasees, who found a 
retuge m this swamp, and were perhaps, after a lanse of 
rears, accidentally seen by some of the hunters of the 
Creek nation. 

There is frequent mention, in the early colonial historv 
of South Carolina, of wars between the " first settlers and 
trie lemasees, the latter having been excited to attack the 
Colony by the Spanish authorities in St. Au<mstine. The 
curious may find in the Charleston Library* some early 
acts of the colony in MS. relating to this topic. 

A formidable war was kindled bv these people, which 
would have proved destructive to the infant settlement of 
Carolina, had not timely intimation of the danger been ob- 
tained by means of one of the outsettlers to whom Sanute 
a chief of the hostile Indians, from a feeling of friendship' 
gave notice of the impending attack. On this occasion the 
Indians were defeated by Gov. Grant, and driven out of the 
provmce. Dr. Ramsay mentions tha: the Y,mas-s retired 
into t londa, to which country they seem to have been sub. 
sequently restriciec bv the increase fi f t j ]P wh ; te , 

and bv the Creeks, No fin ^ma - - -^ 

until the Semmoles came into notice, bv whom they were 



" e^treh^ ^ ^ W * "Emilia ted," or almost, instead of 



CH. 2.] HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. 33 

Spanish and English systems of dealing with the Indians. 

conquered, and nearly exterminated, in 1721, in the man- 
ner mentioned by Bartram. When in the year 1715, the 
Yemasees were driven within the limits of Florida, they 
became slaves to the Seminoles. Another account states, 
that the Yemasees left St. Augustine in a body in 1722 ; 
or rather were expelled by the Spaniards, who essayed in 
vain to compel them to labors which were regarded as de- 
grading drudgeries by the warriors of Yemasee. 

The Yemasees were remarkably black people, and the 
Ocklewahaw tribe, who are of a deeper shade than the Se- 
minoles, are descendants of the conquered race. The chief 
of the Ocklewahaws, Yaha Hadgo, who was killed by 
General Shelton in the campaign of '38, was, very dark ; 
but generally, the Seminole's complexion is like that of the 
Creeks. 

Under King Payne, grandfather of Micconope, (the pre- 
sent Chief) the Seminoles invaded and achieved fcke con- 
quest of the territories they now occupied. Ke lived to 
near 100 years of age, and married a Yemasee woman, 
his slave, by whom he had the late chief Payne, who here, 
in the darkness of his complexion, a proof of his Yemasee 

descent.,. * * .^fc " .* 

The Indians were formerly very numerous in Florida, 
perhaps asfnuch so as in Mexico, They are now redu- 
ced comparatively to small bands, in few villages. 

The ^Spanish system of dealing with them, was by trea- 
ties of incorporation: 

The British principle was that of demarcation, when they 
obtained possession of Florida, at the peace of 1763. 

A treaty was made with the Indians in 1769, pointing 
out the lands of the red and white inhabitants respectively. 

Bartram (in 1777) says, " I prepared to set off again to 
Augusta, in Georgia, through the Creek Nation, the only 



*"I love," said Dr. Johnson, "the University of Salamanca, for their de^ 
cision on the lawfulness of the Spanish conquests in America.'' 

This decision, ihe reader may remember, was against the right and duty 
of making war upon pagans and heretics to propagate the true faith, and 
was made on the public disputation held at Valladolid in 1550, between 
;4 the good" Las Casas and Zepuelveda. *The reader's recollection of the 
mild and benevolent Las Casas, will assure him that his thesis maintained 
the most liberal principles of universal toleration. 



incorporation of the Indians i-ro the Spanish Monarc 



practicable way ot returning by land, being frustrated of 
pursuing my intended route which J had meditated, through 
tbe territories of the Seminoles or Lower Creeks, thev be- 
ing a treacherous people. lying so fer from the eve and 
control ol the nation with whom they are confederate^ that 
* iTer f ^1 lately been depredations and murders committed 
my them at the bay of Apalaeh-, on some families of white 
people who were migrating from Geor-ia. with an intention 
01 settling on the Mobile." 

In ^1754. the Spanish Government of Bast and West 
Honda, met the Tallahassee and Seminole Indians in a 
body, wko )i#3 those -edicts, with thdr celebrated war- 
nor McGilkray at their head, and formed and exited 
a ffejty oT Incorporation. By this.treatv thev wer^ incor- * 
porated into the Spanish monarchy, with* certain reserved 
nghts oepeiidnig chiefly m the^will ..bf that government. 
The toll^-:n ? is extracted :rom Travels in Louisiana aSl! 
ine FlondasAi tn%ear ISO?, b-r JohnDfevis^ + 

America* DaniPd Bo 7 e ^ at * bead f a handful 
01 Tallahassee Inoians. Stacked end carried, about two 
years ago._ the rort of Apalachas. fortified wi^ cannon, i 
-supplied with ammunition and pro visions,%n3 garrisoned by 
a captain and company of Spanish troops, who f&e base 
cowards abandoned tneir posts without making resV-rc 0 : 
but getting into their galiies moor*d at the foot of- the fort 
escaped to Pensacola. 

;*Had the captain exhibited bm the smallest portion of the 
spirit of a Smith, he would have heard unmoved the. war- 
whoop, and smiled at the arrows of a host of Indians. But P 
Jet me not protane the tomb of the dead, bv associating the 
memory of the great father of Virginia, with such a miser- 
able poltroon. 

"And what was the object of Bowles, in setting possession ' 
ot this fort .' solely that of carrying on with less restraint, 
ana more extent, the trade in far skins, with the Indians of 
tne surrounding country. It is true., that about three months 
after, the fort was retaken, without striking a blow, by the 
Spaniards : but the troops theycollected."and the pomp of 
artillery, &c. showed how formidable thev considered an 



CH. 2.] HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. 



35 



First disorganization of the Florida Indians— Tecumseh. 

American, at the head even of a few timid, raw, and undis- 
ciplined Indians. 

"Bowles, in his turn, deserted the fort at their approach, 
and decamped without beat of drum, or sound of trumpet." 

The first disorganization of the Florida Indians, arose on 
the retirement of the trading house of Panton, Leslie & Co.; 
then came the irruption of the Georgia borderers in 1812, 
when the Alachua settlements were destroyed, and their 
King and Chief, Payne, received his death in the field. 
His brother Bowlegs (whose Indian name was Islapacpaya, 
which means Faraway,) died soon after of a broken heart, 
as it is said. But certain it is, that his country was laid 
waste by the Tennesseeans in 1814, and he mortally wound- 
ed in a subsequent rencontre with the ^Americans. 

To the pamphlet (which we have referred to in our first 
chapter as) attributed to Col. Gadsden, we are indebted for 
the following account of the Indian hostilities which mani- 
fested themselves in the South about this period. An art- 
ful impostor, fTecumseh of the Shawnees, a man of most 
extraordinary abilities and consummate address, conceived 
the bold design of an union of the red against the white po- 
pulation of America, under a hope that by a general and 
continued assault along the whole line of our frontiers, the 
future extension of settlements might be checked, if the pre- 
sent inhabitants could not be driven into the ocean. Assu- 
ming the attributes of a prophet, and, among other things, 
assisted by the fortuitous occurrence of an earthquake, of 
which he had hazarded a prediction, a confidence began to 
be reposed in the sacredness of his character and mission. 
A majority of the Creek nation were enlisted in his cause, 
and the storm of an exterminating savage war hung over 
the West. Its first explosion was on Fort Mims; a rude 



*VVe have found it impossible to separate completely the history of the 
Indians from that of Florida in our first chapter, to which therefore we 
must refer the reader, as throwing some light on this, our second chapter, 
and vice versa. 

tThis is the Tecumseh who was (or was not) killed by Col. Johnson . 
The word Shawnee, or more properly Shawaneu, signifies south, that tribe 
having como originally from the south, where they dwelt near Savannah 
and in the Floridas. The Creeks, Choctaws, Cherokees and Yemasees, 
formed a league to expel them, and thereupon the Shawnees migrated north- 
wardly. 



36 HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. [cH. 2, 

Gen. Jackson's Campaign — Battle of Talledega. 

stockade defence, into which the Southern inhabitants of 
Alabama had lately retreated for security. More than 300 
persons, including women and children, fell victims to sa- 
vage barbarity. "The slaughter was indiscriminate; mer- 
cy was extended to none, and the tomahawk often transfixed 
mother and child at the same stroke. But seventeen of the 
whole number in the fort, escaped to give intelligence of the 
dreadful catastrophe." In the midst of an alarm whjph such 
an inhuman outrage was calculated to excite, the eyes of 
Tennessee were turned on Jackson. Though confined at 
this period to his house by a fractured arm, his characteris- 
tic firmness did not desert him, and he cheerfully yielded to 
a second call for his services in the cause of his country. 
Two thousand militia were ordered to assemble at Fayette- 
ville in Tennessee, in addition to five hundred cavalry pre- 
viously raised under the command of Gen. Coffee. 

The alarming accounts of the concentration of the forces 
of the enemy, with a view of deluging the frontier in blood, 
compelled Gen. Jackson (though individually in a most dis- 
abled state of body) to take the field before the ranks of his 
army had been filled, or his troops organized. 

With this undisciplined force, he prepared for active ope- 
rations; but the wisest dispositions were counteracted, and 
all his movements embarrassed, by the failure of unfeel- 
ing and speculating contractors. 

The enemy were gathering strength, and on the advance; 
they had already threatened a fort of Indian allies. In this 
situation, to retreat was to abandon our frontier citizens to 
the mercy of savages; to advance, was with the certainty 
of exposure to every privation. 

Jackson hesitated not on the alternative, and with but 
six days rations of meat, and less than two of meal, he mo- 
ved with his army upon the Coosa; and, with Coffee's com- 
mand, -gave a most decisive blow to the enemy at Tallus- 
hatchee, in less than twenty-five days after he had marched 
from the rendezvous at Fayetteville. The loss of the 
Creeks in this engagement, was 186 killed, and 84 prisoners. 

Though cor-.pelled by the want of supplies to return to 
his depots on the frontier, we find him in less than six 



CH. 2.] HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS* 37 

General Jackson's Campaign, 

weeks in the field, at the well fought battle of *Talledega, 
and in the subsequent conflicts at Emuckfau, Enotichopco! 
and Tohopka, annihilating the hopes and expectations of 
the Creeks, and crushing the hydra of savage hostility in 
the South. 

The combination of difficulties which embarrassed the 
operations of his campaigns, called forth all the resources 
of his genius, and the energies of his character. 

He penetrated the wilderness with an undisciplined corps 
of militia and volunteers; the different departments of his 
staff unorganized, his most zealous officers untutored in the 
art of war, and his movements controlled by a most defect- 
ive system of supply, leaving an army and its efforts to the 
mercy of speculating contractors. 

Most of his operations were paralyzed, while his men 
were alike exposed to the inclemency of weather, and the 
sufferings of starvation: marching whole days without a 
single article of subsistence in camp; then subsisting on 
acorns and esculent roots of the forest, and at length redu- 
ced to the extremity of resorting to the putrid offals of a 
bullock pen. 

In all these hardships and privations did General Jack- 
son participate, his own private stores were turned over to 
the hospital for the comfort of the sick; and he exhibited an 
example of fortitude and zeal, which should have encou- 
raged the timid, and buoyed up despondency. 

. To add t0 these trials, discontent manifested itself among 
his troops; the mutiny of his militia was one day suppressed 
by the volunteers; while to the defection of the volunteers, 
on the next, was opposed the militia. Finally, the militia 
and volunteers united in the same objects, and deserted by 
squads, companies and corps. 

He appealed ineffectually to their affections, their past 
services, their good conduct, and their patriotism; and at 
one crisis was seen alone with a musket arresting the de- 
sertion of a column, and forcing it back to its duty His 
troops, however, (with the exception of a few determined 
volunteers) deserted, and in the midst of these embarrass. 

*A touching Poem "Aldana of Taledega," by S. L, Fairfield ™v ko 
found in his N . A. Quarterly Magazine for April. * a "Heid, maybe 



4 



38 HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. [cH. 2. 

Treaty of Fort Jackson. 

ments, the General was strenuously advised by the Gover- 
nor of Tennessee, to yield to the difficulties which had ac- 
cumulated, and abandon the campaign until more favorable 
circumstances should enable him to prosecute it with suc- 
cess. No difficulties, however, could daunt him; no obsta- 
cles shake his determination, and no disappointments divert 
him from his object; with a few resolute men he maintained 
the ground he had conquered, and the posts he had estab- 
lished, until reinforcements from Tennessee enabled him 
subsequently to triumph over the enemy, and give security 
to an agitated frontier. By the efforts of his genius he 
wrested from fanaticism the spells and incantations of de- 
ception, and left to a deluded tribe nothing to hope, but from 
the clemency of a magnanimous Republic. The spirit of 
the Creek nation was intimidated by his victories, and the 
survivors of the sanguinary conflicts of Talledega, Tallus- 
hatchee, Emuckfau and Tohepka, readily embraced the 
terms of peace proffered, and guaranteed by the treaty of 
Fort Jackson. In the provisions of that compact, indemni- 
ty for the past, and security for the future, were obtained; 
the sales of the lands ceded have more than quadrupled the 
expenses of the war; while such a demarcation has been 
given to the Creek limits, as to separate them from the 
neighboring tribes by an interposing white population (sup. 
posed at that time) sufficiently numerous to overcome sa- 
vage hostility, and give security to a hitherto exposed fron- 
tier. 

A few of the most hostile of the disaffected Creeks (who 
had not accepted the terms of peace under the treaty of 
Fort Jackson) had fled to Pensacola; and the information 
received of their constant intercourse with a British force, 
then in possession of the Spanish forts, directed the attention 
of the American General to that quarter. Having concen- 
trated his army, about 3000 strong, at Mobile, and the cut- 
off near the junction of the Tombeckbee and Alabama ri- 
vers, he addressed the Spanish Governor, Maurequier of 
Florida, on the apparent violation of the neutrality of his 
territory by the enemies of the United States, demanding at 
the same time the surrender of the hostile Indians, who had 
sought his protection, and the dismissal of the British, gar- 



CH. 2. J HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. 



39 



Entry of Gen. Jackson into Pensacola-Termination of the Creek War. 

risoning his forts. To this letter he received an evasive an- 
swer, acknowledging the facts of which Gen. Jackson com- 
plained; but refusing a compliance with his wishes, as con- 
trary to that hospitality which had uniformly characterized 
the conduct of his Catholic Majesty towards his allies. 

The apprehension, therefore, of a new Indian War by 
British instigation, on the left flank of a frontier entrusted to 
the defence o r Gen. Jackson, at a moment when New Or- 
leans was menaced by a powerful armament, hourly expec- 
ted on the coast; connected with the fact of a very recent 
attack on Fort Bowyer, at the mouth of Mobile Bay, by a 
combined lah'd-aadjoaval force, which had been prepared 
for the enterprize, and had embarked from Pensacola; left 
the American General the only alternative of carrying his 
arms where he found his enemies. Having resolved on the 
movement, he entered Pensacola on the 7th of November, 
1814, expelled the hostile Indians, and forced the British to 
retreat for protection to their shipping. 

This object accomplished, he withdrew from the Terri- 
tory of Florida, and, after informing the Spanish Governor 
of the motives for his entering, he concludes his letter with 
stating, "that as the enemy had retreated, and the hostile 
Creeks had fled for safety to the forest, he now retired from 
the town, leaving the Spaniards to re-occupy their forts and 
protect their rights." 

Trumbull says — "The Creek war happily terminating in 
the spring of 1814, and a treaty of peace having been mu- 
tually concluded upon between the surviving chiefs of that 
nation, and commissioners appointed on the part of the Uni- 
ted States, but little opposition was then apprehended from 
the fugitives who had fled towards Pensacola, and who re- 
mained hostile to the interest of the Americans. But, con- 
trary to the expectations of our government, it was soon 
after discovered that these Indians had sought refuge among 
the different savage tribes living within and on the borders 
of the Floridas, denominated Seminole Indians, who it was 
suspected cherished feelings of hostility to the United States. 
This fact having been ascertained, the executive depart- 
ment of the government deemed it necessary, for the secur- 
ity of the frontier, to establish a line of forts near the South- 



40 



HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. [ C H. 2. 



Border War between the Georgia and Seminole Indians. 



em boundary of the United States, and to occupy those 
fortifications with portions of the regular forces, and'by this 
means peace was maintained with the Indians until the 
spring or summer of 1817, when the regular forces were 
withdrawn from the posts on the Georgia frontier, and con- 
centrated at fort Montgomery, on the Alabama river, a con- 
siderable distance west of the Georgia line." 

But it seems that about this timet a border warfare was 
commenced between the Seminole Indians, and the frontier 
inhabitants of Georgia. Duncan M'Krimmon, (a resident 
of Milledgeyide, a Georgia militia man, stationed at fort 
Cradsden) being out one morning on a fishing excursion, in 
attempting to return, missed his way, and was several days 
lost m the surrounding wilderness. After wandering about 
m various directions, he was espied and captured by a party 
of hostile Indians, headed by the well known prophet Fran- 
cis. The Indians having obtained the satisfaction they 
wanted respecting the determination of government, the do- 
sition of the American army, &c, they began to prepare 
for the intended sacrifice. M'Krimmon was bound to a 
stake, and the ruthless savages having shaved his head and 
reduced his body to a state of nudity, formed themselves 
into a circle, and danced round him some hours, yellino* 
most horribly. The youngest daughter of the prophet 
about fifteen years of age, remained sad and silent the 
whole time. She participated not in the general joy, but 
was evidently, even to the affrighted prisoner, much pained 
at the savage scene she was compelled to witness. When 
the burning torches were about to be applied to the fagots, 
which encompassed the prisoner, and . the fatal tomahawk 
was raised to terminate forever his mortal existence, Milly 
Francis, (for that was her name) like an angel of mercy, 
placed herself between it and death, resolutely bidding the ? 
astonished executioner, if he thirsted for human blood, to 
shed hers; being determined, she said, not to survive the 
prisoner's death. A momentary pause was produced by 
this unexpected occurrence, and" she took advantage of the 
circumstance to implore upon her knees, the pity of her 
ferocious father, who finally yielded toner wishes; 'with the 
intention, however, it is suspected, of murdering them both, 



CH. 2.] HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. 



41 



Major Twiggs attacks Fowl Town. 

if he could not sell M'Krimmon to the Spaniards; which was 
luckily effected a few days after at St. Marks, for seven 
gallons and a half of rum. As long as M'Krimmon re- 
mained a prisoner, his benefactress continued to shew him 
acts of kindness. The fortune of war afterwards placed her 
in the power of the white people, being compelled, with a 
number of others of her tribe, who were in a starving con- 
dition, to surrender themselves prisoners. As soon as this 
fact was known to M'Krimmon, in manifestation of a due 
sense of the obligation which he owed to the woman who 
saved his life, at the hazard of her own, he sought her to 
alleviate her misfortune, and to offer her marriage: but 
Milly would not consent to become his wife as a consider- 
ation of having saved his life, declaring that she did no 
more than her duty, and that her intercessions were the 
same as they would ever have been on similar occasions. 

In these frequent outrages committed upon the frontiers, it 
was somewhat difficult to determine on whom the greatest 
injuries were inflicted. Gen. Gaines, however, demanded 
a surrender of the Indians, who had committed depredations 
on the frontiers of Georgia. With this demand they re- 
fused to comply, alleging that the first and greatest aggres- 
sions had been made by the white men. In consequence of 
this refusal, Gen. Gaines was authorized by the Secretary 
of War, at his discretion, to remove the Indians still re- 
maining on the lands ceded to the United States by the 
treaty made with the Creeks. In so doing, he was told 
that it might be proper to retain some of them as hostages, 
until reparation was made for depredations committed" by 
the Indians. In pursuance of this discretionary authority, 
Gen. Gaines ordered a detachment of near 300*men, under 
the command of Major Twiggs, to surround and take an 
Indian Village called Fowl Town, about 14 miles from fort 
Scott, and near the Florida line. This detachment arrived 
at Fowl Town in the night, and the Indians taking the alarm, 
and flying to an adjacent swamp, were fired upon by the 
detachment, when one man and one woman were killed, 
and two Indians made prisoners. The detachment return, 
ed to fort Scott. 

A day or two afterwards, as stated by Capt. M'Intosh, 
4* 



42 



HISTOEY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. 



[cH. 2. 



Gen. Jackson and Gaines take the field. 

who was of the party, about the same number of troops paid 
a second visit to the same village, for the purpose of ob- 
taining property. While loading their wagons with corn, 
and collecting horses and cattle, they were fired on by the 
Indians, and a skirmish ensued, in which a small loss was 
sustained on both sides. It was stated by Capt. Young, 
the topographical engineer, that this town contained forty- 
five Indian warriors, besides women and children. From 
this time the war became more serious. The Indians, in 
considerable numbers, were embodied, and an open attack 
was made on fort Scott. Gen. Gaines, with about 600 reg- 
ular soldiers, was confined to the garrison. In this state of 
things, information having been communicated to the War 
Department, Gen. Jackson was ordered to take the field. 
He was put in command ot the regular and military force, 
amounting to 1800 men, provided for that service; and di- 
rected, if he should consider the force provided insufficient 
to beat the enemy, (whose force was estimated by Gen. 
Gaines at 2800 strong) to call on the Governors of the ad- 
joining States for such portions of the militia, as he might 
think requisite. 

On the receipt of this order, Gen. Jackson appealed (to 
use his own expressions) to the patriotism of the West Ten- 
nesseeans, who had served under him in the last war. One 
thousand mounted gun-men, and two companies of what 
were called life-guards, with the utmost alacrity, volunteer- 
ed their services from the States of Tennessee and Ken- 
tucky, and repaired to his standard. Officers were ap- 
pointed to command this corps by the General himself, or 
by other persons acting under his authority. Thus organ- 
ized, they were mustered into the service of the United 
States. 

About the time Gen. Jackson was organizing this de- 
tachment of volunteers in the State of Tennessee, or pre- 
vious thereto, Gen. Gaines was likewise employed in rais- 
ing forces among the Creek Indians. Gen. Gaines raised 
an army of at least 1600 Creek Indians, appointing their 
officers, with a Brigadier General at their head, and like- 
wise mustered this force into the service of the United States. 
It appears that Gen. Jackson advanced into Florida, with a 



CH. 2.] 



HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. 



43 



Francis, Arbuthnot and Ambrister executed. 

force of 1800 men, composed of regulars, volunteers, and 
the Georgia militia; and afterwards, on the first day of 
April, was joined by Gen. M'lntosh and his brigade of 1600 
Indians, who had been previously organized by Gen. 
Gaines. Opposed to whom, it appears from the report of 
Capt. Young, topographical engineer, and other evidence, 
the whole forces of the fugitive Seminole Indians and runa- 
way negroes, had they all been embodied, could not have 
exceeded 900 or 1000 men,* and at no time did half that 
number present themselves to oppose his march. Of course 
little or no resistance was made. 

The Miskasuky towns were first taken and destroyed. 
The army marched upon St. Marks, a feeble Spanish gar- 
rison, which surrendered without firing a gun, and was then 
occupied as an American post; the Spanish Commandant 
having first, by humble entreaties, and then by a timid pro- 
test, endeavored to avert the measure. Here Alexander 
Arbuthnot was found, taken prisoner, and put in confine- 
ment for the purpose, as it was stated by Gen. Jackson, "of 
collecting evidence to establish his guilt:" and here also 
were taken two Indian chiefs, one of whom pretented to pos- 
sess the spirit of prophecy. They were hung without trial 
and without ceremony. Francis, who by the entreaties of 
his daughter, was persuaded to spare the life of M'Krim- 
mon, a captive, was the prophet above alluded to. This 
being done, and St. Marks garrisoned with American troops, 
the army pursued their march eastward to Suwanee river, 
on which they found a large Indian village, which was con- 
sumed, and the Indians and negroes were dispersed; after 
which, the army returned to St. Marks, bringing with them 
Robert C. Ambrister, who had been taken prisoner on their 
march to Suwanee. During the halt of the army for a few 
days at St. Marks, a general court-martial was called, Ar- 
buthnot was arraigned, found guilty, sentenced to suffer 
death, and hung. Ambrister was tried in like manner, 
found guilty, and shot. 

Gen. Gaines, in a letter to the Secretary of War, dated in 
1817, says — "The Seminole Indians, however strange and 



* Another estimate makes the number of warriors 2,700, 




FLORIDA INDIANS. [CH. 2. 



Fort Gadsden erected. 



absurd it may appear to those who understand little of their 
real character and extreme ignorance, entertain a notion 
that they cannot be beaten by our troops. They confident- 
ly assert, that we have never beaten them, or any of their 
people, except when we have been assisted by 'the 'red 
people.' And he adds, "I feel warranted, from all I know of 
the savages, in saying, they do not believe we can beat 
them. This error of theirs has led them, from time to 
time, for many years past, to massacre our frontier citizens 
— often the unoffending and helpless mother and babes." 

As a well earned tribute to a most meritorious officer, we 
make the following extracts; 

Gen. Jackson to Secretary of War, March 20, 1818.— 
"I immediately directed my Aid-de-camp, Lieut. Gadsden, 
of the Engineer Corps, to furnish a plan for, and superintend 
the erection of, a fortification. His talents and indefatiga- 
ble zeal displayed in the execution of this order, induced 
me to name it fort Gadsden; to which he is justly entitled." 

Extract of a letter from Adjutant General Butler, in 1813, 
to the Secretary of War.— "On the same morning Lieut. 
James Gadsden, Aid-de-camp to the Commanding General, 
descended the Suwanee river to its mouth, with Capt. Dun- 
lap's and a few of Capt. Crittenden's companies cf the life- 
guards, and a small detachment of the regulars, and cap- 
tured, without difficulty, the schooner of A. Arbuthnot, 
which had brought supplies of powder and lead to the In- 
dians and negroes."* 



R /! iS u 1 rr in the U ' S ' Senate documents-and in the Journals 
^^^^^ aSe ^ amy bef ° Und "^interesting papers touch- 



jBurges & II on our .-\-/b Uroad St Charleston . So x am I in a. . 



CHAPTER ItL 



HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. 

Concluded. 

[Indian population described by Peniere, IT. S. Agent— Indian Villages 
enumerated by Bell, U. S. Agent— Treaty of 1819 between Spain and 
United States— Treaty at Moultrie between United States and the Indi- 
ans—Col. Gadsden's letter in 1833 — Treaty at Payne's Landing between 
U. States and Seminoles— Treaty at Fort Gibson, 1833— Seminole Agree- 
ment in 1835— Talk of Seminoles with Gen. Thompson, U. S. Agent,] 

The following description of the Indian population, is 
from manuscript communications of the intelligent J. A. 
Peniere, Esq. then Indian Agent, stationed in this Territory, 
to General Jackson, and the Secretary of War, about the 
year 1621. 

The population of the Indian tribes, known under the 
collective name of Creeks, composed of six others, desig- 
nated by the names of Miccassauky, Souhoine, Santafee, 
Redstick, and Echitos, in time past furnished one thousand 
two hundred warriors, which, at the rate of five to each 
warrior, would give a population of six thousand souls. 
The nation, known by the name of Seminoles, is compo- 
sed of seven tribes, which bear the names of Latchioue, 
Oklecuaha, Chokehaitta, Pyaclekaha, Fatehouyaha, Top- 
kelake, and one other. t 

There are, besides, some remains of ancient tribes, 
known by the names of Outchis, Chias, Canaake, but they 
consist of only a few straggling families. 

There is also on the frontiers of Georgia, another tribe 
called Cahouita, which raised one hundred or one hundred? 
and fifty warriors, under Mackintosh. Seven years ago, 
they waged a barbarous warfare against the whites and Se- 
minoles, who detest them. We must add to this enumera- 
tion, which will make the Indian population amount to more 
than five thousand souls, fifty or sixty negroes, or mulattoes, 
who are maroons, or half slaves, to the Indians. 

These negroes appeared to me far more intelligent than 



46 



fen. 3. 



Names of Indian Villages. 

those who are in absolute slavery, and have great influ- 
ence over the Indians. 

The Indians are very mistrustful, very poor, very lazy, 
and very great beggars. 

They love the English and Americans very little. 

I have neglected no means of contradicting reports 
which were spread among them; for instance, that two thou- 
sand troops are coming by your (Governor Jackson's) order, 
to drive them off. and take from them their slaves and cattle. 

It will be difficult to form a prudent determination with 
respect to the maroon negroes who live among the Indians, 
on the other side of the little mountains of Latchiona. 

Their number is said to be upwards of three hundred. 
They fear being again made slaves, under the American 
Government: and will omit nothing to increase or keep 
alive mistrust among the Indians, whom they in fact govern. 

If it should become necessary to use force with them, 
it is to be feared the Indians would take their part. It will, 
however, be necessary to remove from the Floridas, this 
group of lawless freebooters, among whom runaway ne- 
groes will always find refuge. 

In a letter from Capr. John H. Bell, (who succeeded Pe- 
niere as Agent for the Indians m Florida,) addressed to a 
Committee of Congress, in February, 1821, the following 
Indian villages are enumerated, viz. 

1. Red Town, at Tampa Bay. Number of souls un- 
known. 

2. Oc-lack-o-na-yahe, above Tampa Bay. A number 
of souls. 

3. O-po-nays Town, back of Tampa Bay. 

4. Tots-ta-la-hoeets-ka, or Vv^atermelon Town on the 
seaboard, west side Tampa Bay; the greater part of all 
these fled from the Upper Creeks, when peace was given 
to that nation. 

5. A-ha-pop-ka, situated back of the Musquitoe. 

6. Low-walla Village, composed of those who fled from 
Coosa, and followed M'Queen and Francis, their prophets. 

7. M'Queen's Village, east side Tampa Bay. 

8. A-lack-away-talofa, in the Alachua plains. A great 
number of souls. Took-o-sa-mothlay, the chief, 




CH. 3.] HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. 47 

Names of Indian Villages. 

9. Santa-fee-talofa, at the east fork of Suwana. Lock- 
taw-me-coocky, the chief. 

10. Waw-ka-saw-su, on the east side of the mouth of 
the Suwana, on the sea-board; these are from the Coosa 
river, followers of M 'Queen and Francis. 

11. Old Suwanee Town, burnt in 1818, on the Suwanee 
river. These are from the Tallapoosa towns, and they are 
from the Upper Creeks. 

12. A-la-pa-ha-tolafa, west of Suwanee, and east of the 
Miccasuky. The chief, Ockmulgee, is lately dead. 

13. Wa-cissa-talofa, at the head of St. Marks river. 
These are from the Chattahoochy, Upper Creeks. 

14. Willa-noucha-talofa, near the head of St. Marks 
river, west of Wa-cissa-talofa, natives of Florida. 

15. Talla-hasse, on the waters on the Miccasuky pond. 
These have lived there a long time, have about 100 war- 
riors, and suppose 10 souls to a warrior, say 1,000 souls. 

16 Top-ke-gal-ga, on the east side of the O-clock-ney, 
near Tal-la-hassee. 

17. We-thoe-cuchy-talofa, between the St. Marks and 
O-clockney rivers, in the fork of the latter; very few of 
them are natives of the land. 

18. O-chuce-ulga, east of the Apalachicola, where Ham- 
bly and Blunt live; above 250 souls. Cothun, the chief. 

19. Cho-co-nickla Village. The chief is Nea-thoe-o- 
motla; the second chief, Mulatto-king: they were raised 
here; have about sixty warriors on the west side of the 
Apalachicola. 

20. Top-hulgar. This village, and Cho-co-nickla, join 
each other. Raised in East Florida, and removed there. 

21. Tock-to-eth-la, west of fort Scott and Chattahoochy, 
ten miles above the forks; forty or fifty warriors were rais- 
ed at the O-cun-cha-ta, or red ground, and moved down. 

22. Another town in East Florida Point, called O-chu-po- 
crassa. These moved down from the Upper Creeks. About 
30 warriors, and a great many women and children, set- 
tled there. 

The foregoing list is extracted from a talk held by Gen,. 
Jackson, with the Chiefs of the Florida Indians, viz. Kount^ 
Nea-math-la, and Mulatto King, at Pensacola, 19th Sep*^ 



48 HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. [ C H. 8 e 

Cession of Florida to the United States. 



tember, 1821. To which may be added the following set- 
tlements in East Florida. ° 

23. Pe-lac-le-ka-ha, the residence of Miccanopa, chief 
of the Seminole nations, situated about one hundred and 
twenty miles south of Alachua. 

24. Chu-ku-chatta, about 20 miles south-east of Chuck- 
uchatta, at the same distance from the head of Tampa. 

25. Hich-a-pul-susse, about 20 miles south-east of Chuck- 
uchatta, at the same distance from the head of Tampa. 

26. Big Hammock settlement; the most numerous north 
of I ampa Bay, and west of Hecapusussee. 

27. Oc-la-wa-haw, on the river of that name, west of St. 
John s river. 

28. Mulatto Girls town, south of Caskawilla lake. 

29. Bucker Woman ? s town, near Long Swamp, east of 
Joig Hammock. 

• 3 a°i' ? lng Heifahs ' south > and Payne's negro settlements 
in Alachua; these are slaves belonging to the Seminoles, 
in ail about three hundred. 

31. John Kicks' Town, west of Payne's Savannah, Mic- 
casukys. 

32. O-ke-a-fenoke swamp, south side, a number of Cow- 
etas. 

33. Beech Creek, settlement of Cheehaws. 

m 34. Spring Garden, above Lake Georee, Uchee Billv 
is their chief. J 

35. South of Tampa, near Charlotte's Bay, Choctaws. 
I he whole number of Indian population in Florida, may be 
estimated at about five thousand souls. 

By the treaty between the United States and Spain, of 
1795, it was stipulated that the Spanish Government should 
restrain tneir Indians from committing hostilities against the 
united btates. 

In this state of things the Floridas were ceded, in full do 
minion and absolute property, to the United States, by the 
treaty of the 22d February, 1819. In this treaty there 
was no allusion to, or provision for these Indians/in any 
manner whatever. The two provinces of East and West 
* londa were delivered to the United States by the Spanish 
commissioners. The white population was confined to the 



CH. 3.] HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS, 



49 



United States take possession of the Floridas. 

towns of St. Augustine and Pensacola, and the whole re- 
gion between these two places, one on the Atlantic and the 
other on the Gulf of Mexico, distant four hundred miles 
from each other, was occupied in some sort by these rov- 
ing savages. The United States took possession of the 
country, and one of the first questions that occupied the at- 
tention of the Administration, or of Congress, was, What 
should we do with these Indians? It was then represented, 
even at that period, that they were reduced to great extre- 
mities for the want of the ordinary articles of subsistence. 
They had nearly abandoned the chase, on account of the 
scarcity of game; and their idle, vicious habits, presented 
an insuperable obstacle to the cultivation of the soil. 

To have acquired a territory of such extent, embracing 
one thousand two hundred miles of sea-coast, to be left in 
possession of these Indians, was too absurd to merit one 
moment's consideration. The Secretary of War, Mr. Cal- 
houn, on the 28th January, 1823, in answer to a call of the 
Indian Committee, at the head of which was General Met- 
calf, late Governor of Kentucky, communicated various re- 
ports and correspondence; among which were several let- 
ters from the present President of the United States, then 
Governor of Florida. In one of these letters from General 
Jackson, dated 20th of September, 1821, referring to a talk 
he had had with the head chiefs of the Florida Indians, he 
says, "They acknowledge that it is just, that those who re- 
jected peace when it was offered to them, and fled from 
their own country, continuing the war, ought to return to 
their own nation." The President proceeds, "I am of 
opinion, from the smallness of their numbers, and the shape 
of the Floridas, that it would be much better policy to 
move them all up, and amply to provide for them by an an- 
nuity." 

General Jackson, in a talk to the Indians on the 18th 
September, 1821, told them, "those who fled from their na- 
tion, and joined in the war against us, must return to their 
country, where their chiefs are willing to receive them. 
They cannot be permitted to settle all over the Floridas." 

The chiefs were satisfied with what w^as then communi- 
cated to them. By a letter subsequently addressed to the 



Secretary of War, he says. "The exposed situation of the 
Floridas, imperiously demands that its frontier upon the 
coast should be immediately inhabited by white citizens.'*' 
He states, "the largest portion of the Seminoles are a part 
of the Creek nation;" and adds, "with what pretence of 
justice, can those who fled from the Creek nation, and kept 
up an exterminating war on our frontier, until crushed by 
the arm of our Government in 1818, set up such claims!** 

After examining these documents, the Committee of In- 
dian Affairs of this Hous^ reported that, in their opinion, 
the Indians, as a nation, own no lands in Florida, except 
where it was granted to them by the Spanish authorities — 
that they stood in the relation of domestic dependent com- 
munities. This report was concurred in by the House. It 
was apparent, therefore, that it was the intention of the 
Executive Government, as well as of Congress, that the 
largest portion of these Indians should be sent back to the 
nation to which they belonged — being, as I have said, run- 
away Creeks, and having no such attachments to the "bones 
of their ancestors," as is so often and so falsely ascribed to 
them, a mere fancy, much better suited to poetry, fiction 
and romance, than what we know of their characters. 

Some time after this, a commission was authorized to treat 
with these Indians, and their negotiations led to the treaty 
of Camp ^Moultrie. At this treaty, these very runaway 
Creeks, were permitted, in conjunction with the others, to 
contract for and obtain the possession of about 5,000.000 
of acres of land in the peninsula of East Florida. Con- 
gress also engaged to pay certain annuities to the Se- 
minoles for twenty years. I admit that this treaty 
constitutes a guarantee of possession, until changed or 
rescinded by some subsequent contract or convention. 
Within a few years after the conclusion of this-treaty, 
the Indians were found actually in a state of starvation, 
and a large sum was appropriated by this Government. 
A much larger sum, said Mr. White, than has been doled 
out by a reluctant hand to our own suffering fellow-citizens. 



*The Commissioners at Moultrie were Col, J as, Gadsden, Governor Du- 
val and Mr . Cigni. 



CH. 3.] HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. 



51 



Treaty at Payne's Landing. 

who have a right to appeal to this government for protec- 
tion, and who were intended to be provided for under the 
generous resolution which passed this House with such 
unanimity, at the commencement of hostilities. 

In consequence of intimations given by these Indians, 
through their agent, that there was not sufficient game to 
support them, Mr. White was appointed a commissioner, 
in the year 1827, to offer them a country of sufficient ex- 
tent to the west of the Mississippi, with a guarantee of title 
and possession forever, in exchange for the lands occupied 
by them in Florida. They were unwilling to go without 
an examination of the country, and he had no authority to 
enter into a contract to pay the expenses of a deputation: 
all of which was reported to the Government. In 1831 or 
1832, it was represented to this Government, by the In- 
dians themselves, that they desired to form a treaty with 
the United States, to exchange these lands for others on the 
west of the Mississippi. Colonel Gadsden was appointed 
the commissioner; and, in a council of all the head chiefs 
and warriors, fully represented, at Payne's Landing, on the 
9th of May, 1832, a conditional convention was entered 
into. 

In the preamble to this treaty, it was recited, that "the 
Seminole Indians, regarding with just respect the solici- 
tude manifested by the President of the United States for 
the improvement of their condition, by recommending a 
removal to a country more suitable to their habits and 
wants, than the one they at present occupy in the Territory 
of Florida, are willing that their confidential chiefs should 
be sent to examine the country assigned to the Creeks: and 
should they be satisfied with the character of the country, 
and the favorable disposition of the Creeks to re-unite with 
the Seminoles as one people, the articles of compact and 
agreement shall be binding on the respective parties." 

By the first article of this treaty, which was thus to be 
binding upon the performance of two conditions prece- 
dent, the Seminole Indians relinquish to the United States 
all claim to land they occupy in Florida, and agree to emi- 
grate, &c. 

This same article provides for an additional extent of ter. 



52 



HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. [ CH . £ 



inoles. 



ritory to be added to the Creek country 

I he second article provides that the United States shall 
rnu1tier PenSatl0nforaU im P— euts, and paycertat 

The third article provides for goods to h P rW; a e 
their arrival. The fourth and fifth for MiSsSTf a 
luation of cattle. utacKsmitns and va- 

By the 6th article, the United States are to hav *7 ana 
tor slaves and other property alleged to have been , 
oy the Indians. v. sioien 

The 7th article provides for their removal within I 
years, and that the expenses of the removal f XLtS 
paid by the United States, with their subsidence %nr 
twelvemonths after their arrival. whence .or 

D arTo?t[l e TT y -, W f o igned hy CoL James Gadsden on the 
part of the United States, and by fifteen chiefs and head 
men from the vagabond *Semino)e nation. 
lft fo ^letter from Col. James Gadsden, dated Wascissa 

and MuLSi^f el rT ed E -« E 

ana Mulatto Kmg) will ultimately negotiate under th» 

STal the ? COm P ac J'^<3-hing theiHant £3 
coming in as parties to the treaty of Payne's landing 
There can be no difficulty on this subject, for thev are** 
component part of the Seminole Nation, were Dart.vTtn 
the treaty of Camp Moultrie; and in the additional arn>£ 
to that treaty here made them on the Apalachicola tbX 
(government reserved the right of ordering them within 
the Seminole limits, whenever it thought proper to do so » 

On the 13th February, 1833, was iStffiedT^t 
tween the United States and the Appalachicola band 'of In' 
dians in Florida, mad? at Tallahassee, 11th October 1832 
by James Gadsden, Commissioner on the part of the Uni" 
ted States, and John Blunt, together with certain warriors 
of the Appalachicola band, on the part of said baud- in 
which Treaty, they surrender to the United States all their 
nght to a reservation in the additional article of the Treatv 
of Camp Moultrie, in the Territory of Florida, 18th Sep. 

R»mK? ab ° Dd T y to u f ed in the sense of roaming . When Dr Johnson* 
Rambler was about to be done into Italian, the title was-H Va ?ab Sndo 



HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. 



53 



Treaty at Fort Gibson. 

tember, 1823, and agree to remove to the *West, &e* 
This treaty is signed by 

J as. Gadsden, Commissioner. 

Wm. P. Duval, Superintendant. 

S. Richards, Interpreter. 

And by 

John Blunt. 

Osaa-Hajo, (or Davy.) 

Co-ha-thlock-co, (or Cockrane.) 
The confidential chiefs and agents, in pursuance of the 
convention entered into, visited these lands west of the 
Mississippi in the year 1833, and in a treaty then and there 
entered into at Fort Gibson, on the 28th of March, 1833, 
with three United States Commissioners, they express their 
satisfaction with the country assigned them; and the 'fa- 
vorable disposition of the Creeks,' was manifested by a 
treaty solemnly entered into, by which they agree that the 
Seminoles should be reunited with them.'' 

The following is the substance of this treaty between 
the United States and Seminoles at fort Gibson, 28th March. 
1833, by Stoke, Elsworth and Schermerhorn, on part of 
United States, and delegates of Seminoles on part of said 
nation, Whereas, by the 1st article of treaty at Payne's 
Landing, 9th May? 1^>32, "The Seminole Indians relinquish 
all claim to the land they at present occupy in the territoiy 
of Florida, and agree to emigrate to the country assigned 
to the Creeks, west of the Mississippi river, it being under- 
stood that an additional extent of territory proportioned to 
their number, will be added to the Creek country, and that 
the Seminoles will be received as a constituent part of the 
Creek nation, and be re-admitted to all the privileges as 
members of the same." "And whereas the said agreement 
also stipulates and provides that a delegation of Semincles 
should be sent at the expense of the United States to exam- 
ine the country to be allotted them among the Creeks, and 
should this delegation be satisfied with the character of the 



*From Senate Documents, 1st Session, 23d Congress, much interesting 
information may be gleaned, on the subject of the removal of the Indians, 
generally, to the West. 

5* 



54 



HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. [ C H. 3 



Conditions of the Treaty at Payne's Landing. 



country and of the favourable disposition of the Creeks to 
unite with them as one people, then the aforesaid mention- 
ed treaty would be considered binding and obligatory upon 
trie parties. And whereas a treaty was made between the 
United States and the Creek Indians west of the Mississippi 
at Fort Gibson, on 14th February, 1833, by which a coun- 
try was provided for theSeminoles in pursuance of the ex- 
isting arrangements, between the U. States and that tribe. 

u And whereas the special delegation appointed by theSem- 
inoles, 9th May 1832, have since examined the land desig- 
nated for them by the undersigned commissioners on the 
behalf of the United States, and have expressed themselves 
satisfied with the same, in and by their letter dated March 
1833, addressed to the undersigned commissioners." 

The commissioners then designate to the Seminole tribe 
oi Indians for their separate future residence forever, a 
tract of country lying between the Canadian river, and the 
north fork thereof and extending west to where a line run- 
ning north and south, between the main Canadian and north 
branch will strike the forks of little river, provided said west 
line does not extend more than 25 miles west from the mouth 
of the said little river. 

"And the undersigned Seminole chiefs express themselves 
well satisfied with the location, &c. and agree to remove 
as soon as Government will make arangements,&c. Signed 
by the American commissioners, and 

John Hick, representing Sam Jones. 

holata emarta. 

Jumper. 

Coi Had jo. 

Charley Emata. 

Ya-Ha-Hadgo. 

Nehanthgclo, representing Black Dirt. 

Abraham, Seminole Interpreter. 
The treaty of Payne's Landing was to take effect upon 
the happening of two contingencies— the expression of sat- 
isfaction of the confidential chiefs, and the favorable dispo- 
sition of the Creeks; both of which were ascertained, re- 
ported, and acted upon, and the treaty regularly presented 
by the President of the United States for the advisement 



CH. 3.] 



HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. 



55 



Assent of the Seminoles to the Treaty of 1832 and 1833. 

and consent of the Senate, and due proclamation of the rat- 
ification made in April, 1834. 

The period arrived when, by the expiration of three 
years, the tribe were to remove. They manifested some 
reluctance to execute this contract, and after various equi- 
vocations, delays, and impositions, they were told they must 
go. Yes, this Government, who were urged on by some 
gentlemen to make war on France for a delay in not 
executing their contract, signified to the Indians as they did 
to Louis Phillippe, that we insisted upon the treaty; they 
were further told that if they longer delayed to perform 
what they had promised, after they had accepted the annu- 
ities and considerations stipulated by this Government, they 
must be forced. After some remonstrances and petitions 
on their part to the commanding general, they entered into 
anew agreement with him, as follows: — 

"We, the undersigned chiefs and sub-chiefs of the Semi- 
nole tribe of Indians, do hereby, for ourselves and for our 
people, voluntarily acknowledge the validity of the treaty 
between the United States and the Seminole nation of In- 
dians, made and concluded at Payne's Landing, on the Ock- 
lawaha river, on the 9th of May, 1832, and the treaty be- 
tween the United States and the Seminole nation of Indians, 
made and concluded at Fort Gibson, on the 28th day of 
March, 1833, by Montford Stokes, H. L. Ellsworth, and J. 
F. Schermerhorn, commissioners on the part of the United 
States, and the delegates of the said nation of Seminole In- 
dians on the part of the said nation; and we, the said chiefs 
and sub-chiefs, do, for ourselves and for our people, freely 
and fully assent to the above-recited treaties in all their pro- 
visions and stipulations. 

"Done in council at the Seminole agency, this 23d day of 
April, 1835. 

"Signed by sixteen chiefs and sub-chiefs, 

"In presence of 

"D. L. Clinch, Brig. Gen. U. S. A. 
"A. C. W. Fanning, Brevet Lt. Col. U. S. A. 
"C. M. Thruston, Capt. 3d Regt. Artillery. 
"T. W. Lendrum, Capt. 3d Regt. Artillery, 



56 HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. [cH. 3, 

Powell signs the agreement to perform the Treaties. 

"Joseph W. Harris, First Lieut. M Artillery. 
"Wiley Thompson, Superintendajit to remove Seminole 
Indians. 

It appears by this agreement, thus voluntarily entered 
into, that a further time of nearly one year was given to 
them, upon a solemn pledge that they would execute their 
agreeement, in conformity with the provisions of the treaty, 
by a removal to the land assigned them. This agreement 
was signed by sixteen chiefs. 

Some time after this, Powell, who had made the greatest 
difficulty, came in and signed the same agreement volunta- 
rily, as detailed in the report of the War Department. 

General Thompson, in a letter of the 3d June, reported 
that Powell, one of the most influential chiefs of Seminoles, 
had behaved so badly in his office that he was put in irons 
and confined. On the next day, however, he sigifined his 
regret, and his willingness to sign the agreement and emi- 
grate. _ To test his sincerity he was released, and had five 
days given to him, while at liberty, during which he could 
come forward to affix his name to the instrument the others 
had signed. 'True to his professions,' says the agent, 'he 
this day rppeared with seventy-nine of his people, men, wo- 
men, and children, including some who had joined him since 
his conversion, and redeemed his promise. He told me ma- 
ny of his friends were out hunting, whom he could and would 
bring over on their return. I have now no doubt of his 
sincerity, and as little, that the greatest difficulty is sur- 
mounted.' 

Between the 25th of April and the time of gathering their 
crop, the whole period was employed in preparations for 
war. The period arrived at which, by this new agreement, 
the Indians were to remove. It will be observed that this 
was the third contract, signed by all the chiefs. When, in 
violation of these promises and conventions, they commenced 
open hostilities against the unoffending inhabitants of Flori- 
da, laid waste and desolated three counties, destroyed more 
than a million of property, and massacred one hundred and 
nine of our best officers and troops, before any adequate 
force could be called into the field to resist them. 

As shedding some light on their objections to removal. 



CH. 3.] HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. 57 

Talk of the Seminole Chiefs. 

we submit the following Talk on the part of the Indians, at 
the Seminole agency, in 1834 — being the first great Talk 
held with them by Wiley Thompson, after his appointment 
as Agent, for the purpose of ascertaining from them their 
wishes, as to the disposition of their stock, and other person- 
als, preparatory to their removal, and their preference as to 
the mode of transportation. 

The Agent harangued them at great length. 

On the day appointed for their answer, the Talk was 
opened as follows, and the several speakers succeeded in 
the order herein observed. * * 

Holatioiico. — "We come to make our Talk to-day. We 
were all made by the same Great Father, and are all 
alike his children. We all came from the same Mother, 
and were suckled at the same breast, Therefore we are 
brothers, and as brothers, should treat together in an ami- 
cable way, and should not quarrel and let our blood rise up 
against each other. If the blood of one of us, by each 
other's blow, should fall on the lap of the earth, it would 
stain it, and cry aloud for vengeance, from the land where- 
in it had sunk, and call down the frown and the thunder of 
the Great Spirit." 

Jumper. — "At the treaty of Moultrie, it was engaged that 
we should rest in peace upon the land allotted to us for 
twenty years. All difficulties were buried, and we were 
assured that if we died, it should not be by the violence of 
the white man, but in the course of nature. The lightning 
should not rive and blast the tree, but the cold of old age 
should dry up the sap, and the leaves should wither and 
fall, and the branches drop, and the trunk decay and die. 
The deputation stipulated at the talk of Payne's Landing, 
to be sent on the part of the nation, was only authorized to 
examine the country to which it was proposed to remove us, 
and report to the nation. We went according to agreement, 
and saw the land. It is no doubt good, and the fruit of the 
soil may swell sw^eet and taste good, and be healthy, but it 
is surrounded with bad and hostile neighbors, and the fruit 
of bad neighborhood is blood, that spoils the land, and fire 
that dries up the brook. When in the W T est, I told the 
Agent, 'you say our people are rogues, but you would 



58 HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS, [cH. 8, 

Talk of the Seminole Chiefs continued. 



bring us among worse rogues, to destroy us.' Even of the 
horses we carried with us, some were 'stolen, and their ri- 
ders obliged to return with their packs on their back. The 
Government would send us among Tribes with which we 
could never be at rest. When we saw the land, we said 
nothing: but the agents of the United States made us sign 
our hands to a paper, whicbi/ow say signified our consent to 
remove; but we considered we did no more than say we 
liked the land, and when we returned, the nation would de- 
cide. W e had not authority to do more. Your talk is a 
good one, but my people cannot say they will go. We are 
not willing to do so. If their tongues say yes, their hearts 
cry no, and call them liars." 

•i^ HARLES °- Mathla > (the same who was aftewards 
killed by his people.)— "Our old speaker was *Hicks. He 
has died, and left us as a father his children; but we have 
not forgotten his counsels. I was not at the treaty of 
Moultrie, but it was not made by children. Great men were 
the actors in it. That treaty is sacred. It stipulated that 
we should receive the annuity for twenty years, and enjoy 
she land defined to us. The time has not expired— when it 
does, then we can make a new bargain. There may be 
some slight causes of complaint between the white man and 
red, but they are not enemies. The whites complain of 
depredations. We have a law to punish offenders, which I 
have always endeavored to enforce against the people of 
my own town. As to the subject of removal, my under- 
standing was, that we were not to go till the end of the 
seven years remaining of the ten agreed upon at Moultrie. 
1 hen we may be ready. Iam a full blood Indian, and 
never alter my wind. I adhere to my engagements, and 
will comply with them according to my understanding. 
When a man has a country in which he was born, and has 
there his house and home, where his children have always 
played about his yard, it becomes sacred to his heart, and it 
is hard to leave it. Our Father, the President, has repeat- 
edly said, he views and regards us as his children— and 



of chapteMth 300011111 ° f Ch ^ ey ° mat k la and Hicks, see the early portion 




CH. 3.] HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. 59 

Talk of the Seminole Chiefs continued. 

does'nt he know that when a man is settled, with his little 
stock around him, he has some assurance of support for his 
little ones? But break him up and remove him, and they 
must he exposed to suffer! I wont complain of the Agent's 
talk as a bad talk. I was not dissatisfied with it, but my 
people are around me, and they feel that while they remain 
here, they can be happy with each other. They are not 
hungry for other lands, why should they go and hunt them? 
The country is very distant. It was with difficulty we, with 
firm health, reached it. How then would it be with the 
sickly and infirm? If the sound tree is uprooted by the spi- 
rit of the storm, can the decayed branches stand upright? 
When we went there, Major Phagan was the Agent, He 
was a man of violent passion. We often quarrelled on the 
way, and that has caused much of the difficulty. If I know 
myself, I have a good heart. My feelings are kind to all. 
I view you (the Agent) as a friend, but if we differ in opin- 
ion, / am a man, and have a right to express my sentiments. 
I feel gratified that you are our Agent. I am pleased with 
our first acquaintance, and hope there will be mutual satis- 
faction. I am done. We will meet in council to-night, 
and to-morrow we will talk again. May the Great Spirit 
smile, and the sun shine on us." 

Before dismissing the Indians, the Agent addressed them 
with excited feelings, complaining that they had not an- 
swered his talk — that they had evaded the points submitted 
to them: and that he would not receive their talk of this 
day as a reply. Although in the view of white men, the 
circumstances may have justified the indignation exhibited 
and expressed by Gen. Thompson, yet to the untutored 
mind of the savage, it is not be wondered at, that his lan- 
guage fell with harshness upon their feelings, and that in his 
address they discovered more violence of passion than, in 
their minds, and according to their habits, comported with a 
deliberative occasion. 

On the next dav? the Talk was again opened as follows. 

by 

Holati-Mico. — "As I said yesterday, we are children of 
the same Father. We are brothers, and should not quar- 
rel, and say hard things. I am sick and unable to express 



60 HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. [cH. 3. I 

Talk of the Seminole Chiefs continned. 

myself as I would wish, but others will give the Talk of my 
people. 7 am not excited. Our way of doing business is 
to proceed coolly and deliberately, and in a friendly man- 
ner. We have to represent in our Talk a great many peo- 
ple, for which reason we must proceed with care and 
thoughtful n ess. The people differ in their opinions, and 
they must be indulged with time to reflect. Time makes 
out of many little branching creeks that run different ways, 
one large river, the waters of which then flow smoothly all 
in one direction." 

Miconopa. — "The Talk of yesterday is still the Talk of 
to-day. Our sentiments are unaltered. JVhen the twenty 
years from the date of the treaty of Moultrie are ended, 
we may consent to remove. Now we cannot do so. If 
suddenly we tear our hearts from the homes round which 
they are twined, our heart-strings will snap. By time, we 
may unbind the chords of affection — we cannot pluck them 
off* and they not break." 

Jumper. — "Those of us who went to the West, consented: 
but the rest of the nation do not. The popular sentiment 
rejects it. We were called up to visit and view the land set 
apart for us. We went. The country is good, but the 
e is orreat. Our present habitation is poor, but still 



ens 



we prefer it. We are used to it, and habit has made it 
dear to us. It was our home when the game was plenty, 
and the corn high. If the deer have departed, and the 
corn tassels not, it is still our home, and therefore we love, 
we prefer it." 

Agent told us yesterday, we had not answered his talk, and 
what we gave as a reply, could not be received. If we in- 
tended to go, then it would be proper the points be proposed 
to us should be decided upon. But why quarrel about di- 
viding the hind quarter, when we are not going to hunt. 
Why strain the water, when you are not thirsty. At 
Moultrie, I was not. At Payne's Landing, I was. The 
treaty there, was one of the white people's making. I agreed 
to go and see the country. I went. I got on board a 
strange vessel, where I had never been before. It made 
me sick, till my heart turned in me. I endured it, because 



CH. 3.] 



HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. 



61 



Talk of the Seminole Chiefs continued. 

my nation might be benefited by the result of the expedition; 
but how will not the women and children suffer in such a 
passage? When the men, the grown men and warriors, 
sunk, and their legs were as broken reeds. There were 
but few of us in the deputation. We were ill used by the 
Agent. We were abandoned when sick on the road. We 
were sometimes made to walk on foot. If the few on that 
expedition were exposed to such hardships and ill-usage on 
their journey, how much more suffering must there be. 
when the whole nation is moving in a body? If the heart is 
not big enough for tens, how can it contain hundreds? You 
have just come among us. You meet us in council now 
for the first time. Remain here with us, and be as a father 
to us, and let us be as your children. The relation of pa- 
rent and child to each other, is peace — it is soft and sweet 
as arrow-root and honey. The disorderly among us may 
have committed some depredations, but we have spilled no 
blood. Our hands are not stained with red, and need no 
water to wash them pure. At Moultrie, my head men and 
yours agreed that all ill feeling should be buried, and a 
lasting peace take place between us. The tomahawk was 
to be under ground, and the smoke of the calumet was to 
rest forever above it. We agreed that if we met with a 
brother's blood on the road, or even found Ins dead bodv, 
we should not believe it was by human violence, but that 
he had snagged his foot, or tjiat a tree had fallen upon him 
— that if biood was spilled by either, the blood of the of- 
fender should answer it. That we were ahvavs to meet as 
friends and brothers, without distinction of rank; and that 
if one was hungry, the other should share his bread with 
him. When a man calls another his iriend, let him he uoor 
or mean as he may, he ought to yield to him his rights,~aiid 
not say that he will judge for that other, and compel him to 
do as be pleases. Yet while you say you are our friend, 
you tell us we shall go to the West. " The half breed read 
and write, but what we know, is from nature. We drink 
in our knowledge from her, as our red lip grows white from 
a mother's milk. When our Headmen visited Washing- 
ton, the President and Secretary assured us we should not 
be disturbed in the enjoyment of the territory marked out to 



b2 HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. [ C H. 3. 

Talk of the Seminole Chiefs continued. 

us, while we observed the stipulations of our treaty, We 
have done so! * 

I love my white brothers, and feel no disposition to dis- 
please them. I am done! / am an Indian, and do not 
make long talks. 

Powell.— The sentiment* of the nation have been express, 
ed. There is little more to be said! The People in 
Council have agreed; by their Chiefs they have uttered: it 
is well, it is truth, and must not be broken. When /make up 
my mind, I act. If I speak, what I say, I will do. Speak or 
no speak, what I resolve, that I execute. The nation have 
consulted, have declared, they should performr-what should 
be, shall be! There remains nothing worth words' If 
the hail rattles, let the flowers be crushed— the stately oak 
of the forest will lift its head to the sky and the storm, tow- 
ering and unscathed. 



ISoTE.-For the substance of the foregoing talk, as well as for much in- 
erestmg information, we are indebted to the kind courtesy of our highly n- 
^ e fk friend ' Da r^ Le Y^ Sq \ 0f ^Sustme, (E. F.) who is not on"y 
TvfnJ^ m °T ^ h S htened ' but also one of the most patriotic inhabitant 
ELJi i /f, d u aS "° £ entJeraan i § more thoroughly imbued with a ripe 
knowledge of all the rich resources of that land, so none would experienc^ 
more pride and pleasure m developing its capabilities yet hidden to the 
3 * M?T m0re at he ?. rt lh u e funhera ^ of its permanent pros- 
T.lk^hnt /\ L V WaSp /r ent 5 ttbe a ^ve Council, and took notes of the 
lalk, but as he has not favored us with any written account of the locale 
we , regre that (not then expecting to publish a book) we did not Jisien more 
a ttentively, as he described to us (while we were at Augustine) in his own 
eloquent and glowing terms, the beautiful scenery around the tran lucem 
and piacid spring, whereon was faithfully reflected the green foliage tha 

fefetM ° V L r and , ar0 . Und * a k nd wi ? erein might be clearly discerned the 
iniest flsh, and each minutest object that sported at the bottom, all clothed 
m the blent hues of the o'erarehing sky-t he impending shrubbery and 
he transparent waters . Then the Council House and the* conference^viih- 
m-the excited Agent on one side, the calm Chiefs on the olher-the very 
dX'wu^ ° neSto g»mbol-onthe grass and 

% flVllu hQ flower -T'T hlle ? heir mothers ' wirhthe warriors, crowd- 
ed the gallery or pressed about the council door-with the most intense vet 
subdued interest, catching every look as it gleamed from the countenance 
Zke an ^ g ° T p Yer Ti \ or6 » sh f l from the lip of the Headmen who 
epoke Then Powell-his eye calm, serious, fixed— his attitude manlv 

S lr Ct ^ S v h >f r , thin f nd , d ° Se P ; ' essed lip, indicate 

I"? f WhlCh he s P ea u ks - hl ■ ^ easy, yet restrained tread- 
Lee from all stride or swagger-his dignified and composed attitude-his 
perfect and solemn silence, except during his sententious talk-the head 
thrown backward, the arms firmly folded on the protruding chen-lll all 
instantaneously cha/iged 5 as by an electric touch, wheneTeMhe Agem .SL 



CH. 8.] HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA INDIANS. 



63 



Talk of the Seminole Chiefs continued. 



ted a proposition from which he (Powell) dissented. At such times, the 
fireflash of his indignant eye — the withering scorn upon his upcurled lip— - 
the violent and oft-repeated stamping of his foot— his clenched hand, and 
the rapid gesticulation of his uplifted arm — the short quick breathing, and 
the heave of the agitated bosom, like the rushing wind and swelling wave 
of ocean tempest tost — and these swiftly subsiding into the stillness of 
melancholy, (the very moment the Agent would correct his own error,) and 
presenting only that aspect and attitude of repose, wherewith the ancient 
statuary loved most to invest the gods and heroes of Greece, 



CHAPTER IV. 



INDIAN OUTRAGES. 

[Causes of the Seminole War— John Hicks— Powell—Charles Omathla— 
General Clinch's demonstration on the Ouithlacoochee— slaughter of 
Gen. Thompson. Lieut, Constantine Smith, and others— massacre of 
3Iajor Dade and his command— Indian depredations East of ihe St. 
Johns— murder of Woodruff and of Cooley's family— abduction of 
slaves — their fidelity to their owners.] 

The Seminole War originated in the opposition of the 
Mecasukeans, and some hostile Chiefs of the Seminole na- 
tion, to the execution of the treaty of Payne's Landing. 
That treaty was negociated in the life time of John Hext, 
Hext, or Hicks, was the name given to him by the English, 
as he himself said, but his Indian name was Tuckasee 
E math la, or the groundmole- warrior, one who works by 
undermining. He was possessed of much talent, and of 
more wisdom and forecast than usually falls to the share of 
the red man. He was head chief of the Mecasuky tribe, 
and although recognizing the legitimacy of Mieonope as 
hereditary chief of the Seminole nation, he still, by his ta- 
lents, exercised so powerful a control over that legitimate, 
and the whole of the Seminoles, as to be, in fact, the reaj 
head of the nation. Hext early foresaw the impossibility 
of the Indians sustaining themselves in Florida, and the 
impracticability of their Stemming the current of white po- 
pulation, which was setting with a gulf-like velocity to- 
wards the extremities, the Capes, and the Keys of Florida. 
He was therefore the decided friend of emigration, and fa- 
vored the views of the General Government in locating the 
red men in some permanent home at the West, where in a 
territory of their own, they might be exempt from State in- 
terference, and be under the sole and uninterrupted control 
of the General Government. It was unquestionably, there- 
fore, much by the influence of this chief, backed by the ex- 
ertions of Charley Emathla, Holath Le Mathla, and Black 
Dirt, that the Commissioner, Col. Gadsden, succeeded in 
effecting a treaty, and seemingly without opposition. But 



CH. 4.] 



INDIAN OUTRAGES. 



65 



Death of John Hext — Powell— First Rupture. 

one difficulty at that time interposed, and that was the per. 
sonal ignorance, on the part of the Indians, of the country 
to which they were to be removed, and this was remedied 
by a section, permitting a deputation to proceed West at 
the expense of the United States, to examine for themselves 
the region whither they were to migrate. 

This deputation, or exploring party, at the head of which 
was John Hext, and with which was associated Ya-ha 
Hajo; or the Mad Wolf, (since killed by General Shelton) 
returned and reported most favorably of the country. 
Every preparation was therefore made for the execution 
of the treaty, conformably to its terms, and no apparent op- 
position was manifested by any one until after the death of 
John Hext. That old chief died early in the spring of the 
year 1835, almost immediately after which, symptoms of 
disaffection began to manifest themselves, and Oseola or 
Powell, who previous to that period was a young Tustenug- 
gee* of no known or extraordinary powers, began to dis- 
play abilities, which soon gave him, with the Mecasukeans, 
the mastery exercised by John Hext, and which unfortu- 
nately he began to wield with far different objects and views. 
Penetrating his designs. Major Fanning, commanding at 
Camp King, and in the absence of Gen. Thompson the 
Agent, had him arrested and put in irons. But the Agent, 
with a misplaced confidence in the sincerity of his profes- 
sions, had him released on his return to Fort King, for 
which he afterwards paid the forfeit. Scarcely was Powell 
released from confinement, before hostilities began to appear. 

The first rupture which occurred between the Indians 
and whites, was near the Hog's Town Settlement, on the 
19th June, 1835. It appears that a party of seven Indians, 
went out of their bounds clandestinely, for the purpose of 
hunting; after a short time they separated, and agreed to 
meet again on a certain day, and at a certain spot. Five of 
them having assembled according to agreement, they were 
met by a party of white men, who disarmed four of them, 
and flogged them with their cow whips. Whilst in the act 
of whipping the fifth, tw T o other Indians made their appear- 



*Tu8tenuggee, a sub-chief. 

6* 



66 



INDIAN OUTRAGES. 



[CH. 4. 



Murder of Dalton, the Mail Carrier. 

ance, who seeing what was going on, raised the war w r hoop 
and fired upon the whites. The fire -was returned, by which 
one Indian was killed, and another fatally wounded. Three 
of the whites were also wounded. On the receipt of in- 
formation at the Agency of what had transpired, General 
Thompson, the Agent, immediately summoned a council of 
all the chiefs, and laid the matter before them. They una- 
nimously disclaimed all knowledge of the transaction, and 
agreed to deliver up the culprits, to be dealt with according 
to the laws of the white men. 

The statement of the Indians and whites agreed in all re- 
spects, except as to the number of Indians, the whites^ con- 
tending that there were fifteen or twenty. Five of the In- 
dians were confined. 

On the evening of the 6th August, 1835, Dalton, a pri- 
vate soldier in the United States Army, who was employed 
in carrying the mail from Camp King to Tampa Bay, was 
met near the Hillsborough Bridge, by a party of six Meca- 
suky Indians. Dreaming of no evil, he approached them 
in a peaceable and friendly manner. One of them seized 
the bridle of his mule, and another shot him. He was 
scalped, and his bowels ripped open and thrown into a 
neighboring pond. The mule was also shot, and the con- 
tents of the mail, and the saddle and bridle taken off by 
the murderers. The reason assigned for this barbarous 
murder was, that the Indian who had been wounded in the 
skirmish near the Hog's Town Settlement, had returned 
amongst his relatives, and there died; they wanted a victim 
to satisfy their revenge, and this was the first they met with. 

Upon the reception of this news at Camp King, Gen. 
Thompson, the Indian Agent, again convened the Chiefs, 
who promised to take measures to bring the offenders to 
justice. With this promise, however, they never complied. 
It was merely intended to delude the whites with a show of 
friendly dispositions, when they contemplated murder and 
rapine in their hearts. During this time, and for some time 
previous, they had been busily employed collecting arms 
and ammunition for the intended war. Their preparations 
had not been completed, and it was their object to gain 
time. This murder probably originated with those who 



INDIAN OUTRAGES. 



67 



Murder of Charley O'Mathla. 

perpetrated it, and it was the interest of the Chiefs for the 
present, at least, to disguise their motives, which had thus 
been developed by the precipitancy of a few turbulent spir- 
its. Powell himself visited some of the white settlements 
just before the commencement of hostilities, ostensibly with 
the intention of selling cattle and ponies, &c- 3 and of laying 
in stores for his intended emigration to the West. His 
real motive was, no doubt, to ascertain their state of prepa- 
ration, and the opinions which they entertained. On his 
departure he shook hands with several that he knew, and 
bade them good bye. In this, as in all of his actions, man- 
ifesting the peculiar traits by which he is distinguished and 
characterized, the wily caution of the beast, who steals with 
noiseless step upon his prey. 

Late in the month of September, Charley Omathla, a 
friendly Chief of great influence, was put to death. Char- 
ley had been out with a number of his friends collecting his 
cattle, for the sale which was to have taken place on the 
1st November. 1835. Whilst on his return homeward, 
accompanied by his daughters, he was waylaid and shot by 
some of the Mecasuky tribe, led on by Powell. He was 
somewhat in advance of his party when killed — nine balls 
were found in his body. His friends immediately retreated 
towards the Agency, and a detachment of U. S. Troops 
was sent to protect the family and tribe of Charley Omath- 
la. It was afterwards ascertained that Powell fired the 
first gun. This cruel act was intended to intimidate those 
who were friendly to emigration, and to force them to unite 
with the hostiles, opposed to that measure. Xo doubt ma- 
ny who did not fly for protection to the white settlements or 
military posts, have been constrained to join in with the op- 
ponents of emigration. 

On the reception of intelligence of the death of Charley 
Omathla, Gen. Thompson, the Agent, issued the following 
notice: 

"To the public. — The Seminole Indians, hostile to emigra- 
tion, have, for the purpose of embarrassing the execution 
of the Treaty of Payne's Landing, concluded in 1832, mur- 
dered Charley Omathla, the most intelligent and enterprising 
Chief in the nation. They threaten to shoot any one who 



by INDIAN OUTRAGES. [cH. 4, 

Forces of Gen. Clinch — Attack on Mr. Rogers* house. 

shall attempt to surrender Cattle according to the Treaty. 
The Indians in the northern part of the nation, friendly to 
emigration, are panic struck, and will not attempt to attend 
the contemplated sales. Under these circumstances, an 
indefinite postponement of the sales is unavoidable. 

"The citizens are warned to consult their safety by guard- 
ing against Indian depredations. 

"WILEY THOMPSON, Sup't. Sem. Re'l. 
"Seminole Agency, Flo. Nov. 30, 1835." 
Most of these incidents occured in the fall of the year, 
but Gen. Clinch, the commanding officer on that frontier, 
was induced, from the indications of the preceding spring 
and summer, to make such representations to the General 
Government, as ought to have insured the presence of an ad- 
equate military force, to overawe the savages, and compel 
a peaceable submission to the terms of the treaty. The 
Secretary of War reports, that fourteen companies were 
placed at the disposal of the General, but it is certain they 
were not there in time to prevent the disastrous consequen- 
ces which ensued. 

Gen. Clinch had, at the time of the commencement of 
hostilities, not more than 250 regulars. That officer, in 
addition to the requisitions made on the government, called 
on the Executive of Florida for aid and troops. These 
troops were sent to Fort Drane late in November and early 
in December. With these and the regulars, being about 
900 men, 650 militia and 250 regulars, Gen. Clinch made 
a demonstration on the Ouithlacoochee. Whilst he was mo- 
ving in the direction of that river, and on Monday, the 28th 
December, ten individuals, who were dining at the house of 
Mr. Erastus Rogers, were fired upon whilst sitting at table, 
by a party of Indians. The house was distant not more 
than 250 yards from the block house at Camp King. Mr. 
Rogers was sitting at the head of his table, the other gen- 
tlemen around it. The first intimation given of the pres- 
ence of the Indians, was a volley of shot, poured in upon 
them through the door. The Indians immediatelv rushed 
upon them; those who were not killed, sprang out of the 
windows on each side; five of them escaped; others, fleeing 
for a hammock close by, were shot and killed. Gen! 



CH. 4.] 



INDIAN OUTRAGES, 



69 



Murder of Gen. Thompson— Massacre of Major Dade's command. 

Thompson, the Indian Agent, Lieut. Constantine Smith, 
U. S. Army, Erastus Rogers, Sutler, and Suggs and Hitz- 
ler, were slain. Gen. Thompson received fifteen balls 
through his body; it is said that one at least of these was 
from a rifle which he presented to Oseola. Thus fell the 
unfortunate Agent, a victim to his own misplaced confidence. 
These individuals were scalped, and their skulls beaten in. 
Suggs and Hitzler were dreadfulfy mangled. This deed 
was done in open daylight, and almost within gunshot of a 
block house, containing fifty U. S. soldiers. No blame, 
however, should attach to the officer in command, as he 
was in charge of a military post of some importance, and 
could form no estimate of the number of Indians. Indeed, 
they disappeared before he had time to make a sortie, even 
had he been so disposed to do. 

In the course of events, it now becomes our painful duty 
to record one of the most melancholy and dreadful massa- 
cres ever perpetrated — that of the gallant Major Dade, and 
his command. On the morning of the 23d December,* the 
companies of Captains Gardiner and Frazer of the U. S. 
Army, consisting of fifty bayonets each, with one six poun- 
der, four oxen, one light wagon, and ten days provisions, 
were put on the march from Tampa Bay towards Camp 
King. The first halt of the command was at Hillsborough 
Bridge. Here Major Dade wrote to Major Belton, urging 
him by all means to forward the six pounder, it having been 
left four miles out, in consequence of the failure of the team. 
Three horses were purchased, with the necessary harness, 
and it joined the column that night. 

The detachment pushed on the next morning, and no 
more was heard from it, until the 29th December, when 
John Thomas, one of the soldiers, returned, and on the 31st, 
Rawson Clarke. From the statement of these individuals, 
it appears that the Indians were prying about their Camp on 
the march. Clarke brought in a letter from Capt. Frazer 
to Major Mountford, which was fastened in a cleft stick, and 
stuck in a creek, urging him to push on, as they were beset 
every night. Entrenchments were formed nightly for 
the protection of the men. On the morning of the 28th, 
when about four hours march from the camp of the pre- 



70 



indiax outrages. 



Statement of Rawson Clarke. 



vious day, the detachment was attacked in an open pine 
barren by a large number of Indians. The enemy lav 
concealed in the high grass and saw palmetto, and com. 
menced with a most destructive fire, by which nearly the 
whole advance guard was cut down. " The gal'ant Dade 
who rode up to ascertain the cause of the firing, was shot 
trom his horse at the commencement of the fight It i s 
said that he fell by the hands of Miconope. Cap = t. Frazer 
who also rode in advance, was next shot down. During 
this time, the Indians lay concealed. The men were or* 
dered to form themselves as Light Infantrv. each taking a 
tree, the cannon having been got ready, several discharges 
ot cannister were fired, which, together with a sharp ptav 
irom the muskets of the infantry, induced the enemy to re. 
tire, after killing and wounding half of the men. " Those 
who were able to work, cut down some pine trees, of which 
they erected a triangular pen for their protection. Thev 
had not, however, time to complete their fortification, before 
the enemy returned with a reinforcement. Being hemmed 
in on a 1 sides, they fought until nearly every man was 
either killed or wounded, when the Indians rushed in and 
overwhelmed them. Of the whole command, consisting of 
112 men, only three escaped. For the particulars of this 
tale of horror, we refer to the following statement of Raw- 
son Clarke, one of the three soldiers who survived the hor. 
rid butchery. 

Statement of Rawson Clarke.— After describing the earlv 
stages of the march, he thus proceeds: 

"It was 8 o'clock. Suddenly I heard a rifle shot in the 
direction of the advanced guard, and this was immediately 
followed by a musket shot from that quarter. Captain Fra- 
ser had rode by me a moment before in that direction I 
never saw him afterwards. I had not time to think of the 
meaning of these shots, before a volley, as tf from a thou- 
sand rifles, was poured in upon us from the front, and all 
along our left flank. I looked around me, and it seemed 
as it 1 was the only one left standing in the ri^ht wing 
-Neither could I, until several other vollies had been fired at 
us, see an enemy— and when 1 did. I could only see their 
heads and arms peering out from the long grass, far and 



CH * INDIAN OUTRAGES. 



71 



Statement of Rawson Clarke— continued. 

near, and from behind the pine trees. The ground seemed 
to me an open pine barren, no hammock near that I could 
see. On our right, and a little to our rear, was a large pond 
of water some distance off. All around us were heavy 
pine trees, very open, particularly towards the left, and 
abounding with long high grass. The first fire of the In. 
dians was the most destructive, seemingly killing or disa- 
bling one half our men. 

"We promptly threw ourselves behind trees, and opened a 
sharp fire of musketry. I, for one, never fired without see- 
ing my man, that is, his head and shoulders— the Indians 
chiefly fired lying or squatting in the grass. Lieut. Bassin- 
ger fired five or six pounds of cannister from the cannon. 
Inis appeared to frighten the Indians, and they retreated 
over a little hill to our left, one half or three quarters of a 
mile off, after having fired not more than 12 or 15 rounds. 
We immediately then began to fell trees, and erect a little 
triangular breastwork. Some of us went forward to gather 
the cartridge boxes from the dead, and to assist the wounded. 

h . a ° Major D ade fall to the ground by the first volley, 
and Ins horse dashed into the midst of the enemv. Whilst 
gathering the cartridges, I saw Lieut. Mudge sitting with 
Ins back reclining against a tree— his head fallen, and evi- 
dsntiy dying. I spoke to him, but lie did not answer. The 
interpreter, Louis, it is said, fell by the first fire. [We 
have since learned that this fellow shammed death— that 
his life was afterwards spared through the intercession of 
the Chief, Jumper, and that being an educated negro, he 
read all the despatches and letters that were found about 
the dead, to the victors.] 

**We had barely raised our breast work knee high, when 
we again saw the Indians advancing in great numbers over 
tne hill to our left. They came on boldly till within a long 
musket shot, when they spread themselves from tree to 
tree to surround us. We immediately extended as Light 
Infantry, covering ourselves by the trees, and opening a 
brisk fire from cannon and musketry. The former I dont 
think could have done much mischief, the Indians were so 
scattered. 

"Capt. Gardner, Lieut. Bassinger, and Dr. Gatlin, were 



72 



INDIAN OUTRAGES. 



[CH. 4. 



Statement of Rawson Clarke — continued. 

the only officers left unhurt by the volley which killed Col. 
Dade. Lieut. Henderson had his left arm broken, but he 
continued to load his musket and to fire it, resting on the 
stump, until he was finally shot down towards the close of 
the second attack, and during the day he kept up his spirits 
and cheered the men. Lieut. Keyes had both his arms 
broken in the first attack; they were bound up and slung in 
a handkerchief, and he sat for the remainder of the day, 
until he was killed, reclining against the breastwork — his 
head often reposing upon it — regardless of every thing that 
was passing around him. 

"Our men were by degrees all cut down. We had 
maintained a steady fight from 8 until 2 P. M. or therea- 
bouts, and allowing three quarters of an hour interval be- 
tween the first and second attack, had been pretty busily 
engaged for more than 5 hours. Lieut. B. was the only 
officer left alive, and he severely wounded. He told me as 
the Indians approached to lay down and feign myself dead. 
I looked through the logs, and saw the savages approaching 
in great numbers. A heavy made Indian, of middle sta- 
ture, painted down to the waist, (corresponding in descrip- 
tion to Miconope) seemed to be the Chief. He made them 
a speech, frequently pointing to the breastwork. At length, 
they charged into the work; there was none to offer resist- 
ance, and they did not seem to suspect the wounded beino- 
alive — offering no indignity, but stepping about careiully, 
quietly stripping off our accoutrements, and carrying away 
our arms. They then retired in a body in the direction 
from whence they came. 

"Immediately upon their retreat, forty or fifty negroes on 
horseback galloped up and alighted, tied their beasts, and 
commenced with horrid shouts and yells the butchery of 
the wounded, together with an indiscrimate plunder, strip- 
ping the bodies of the dead of clothing, watches and mo- 
ney, and splitting open the heads of all who showed the 
least sign of life, with their axes and knives, and accompa- 
nying their bloody work with obscene and taunting deri- 
sions, and with frequent cries of "what have you got to sell?' 7 

"Lieut. B. hearing the negroes butchering the wounded, 
at length sprang up, and asked them to spare his life. They 



CH. 4.J 



INDIAN OUTRAGES. 



Statement of Rawson Clarke — continued. 

met him with the blows of their axes, and their fiendish 
laughter. Having been wounded in five different places 
myself. I was pretty well covered with blood, and two 
scratches that I had received on my head, gave to me the 
appearance of having been shot through the brain, for the 
negroes, after catching me up by the heels, threw me 

down, saying <; d n him, he's dead enough!" They 

then stripped me of my clothes, shoes and hat, and left me. 
After stripping all the dead in this manner, they trundled 
off the cannon in the direction the Indians had gone, and 
went away. I saw them first shoot down the oxen in their 
gear, and burn the wagon. 

"'One of the other soldiers who escaped, savs they threw 
the cannon into the pond, and burned its carriage also. 
Shortly after the negroes went away, one Wilson, of Cant. 
G's. company, crept from under some of the dead bodies, 
and hardly seemed to be hurt at all. He asked me to <*o 
with him back to the Fort, and I was going to folluw him, 
when, as he jumped over the breastwork, an Indian sprang 
from behind a tree and shot him down. I then lay quiet 
until 9 o'clock that night, when D. Cony, the only living 
soul beside myself: and I started, upon our journey. We 
knew it was nearest to go to Fort King, but we ' did not 
know the way, and we had seen the enemies retreat in that 
direction. As I came out, I saw Dr. G. lying stripped 
amongst the dead. The last I saw of him whilst living, 
was kneeling behind the breast-work, with two double bar- 
rel guns by him, and he said, "Well, I have got four bar- 
rels for them!" Capt. G. after being severely wounded, 
cried out, "I can give you no more orders, my lads, do 
your best!" I last saw a negro spurn his body, saying with 
an oath, "that's one of their officers-" (G. was dressed in 
soldier's clothes.) 

"My comrade and myself got along quite well until the 
next day, when we met an Indian on horseback, and with 
a rifle, coming up the road. — Our only chance was to se- 
parate — we did so. I took the right, and he the left of the 
road. The Indian pursued him. Shortly afterwards I 
heard a rifle shot, and a little after another. I concealed 
myself among some scrub and saw palmetto, and after 



74 



INDIAN OUTRAGES. 



[CH. 4 



Report of Capt. Hitchcock. 

awhile saw the Indian pass, looking for me. Suddenly, 
however, he put spurs to his horse, and went off at a gallop 
towards the road. 

"I made something of a circuit before I struck the beat- 
en track again. That night I was a good deal annoyed by 
the wolves, who had scented my blood, and came very 
close to me; the next day, the 30th, I reached the Fort." 

This statement appears to be correct in most respects. 
Subsequently, Gen. Gaines's army passed the spot, and 
found the dead lying in the position in which they had 
been left by the enemy. Clarke was however mistaken, in 
regard to the dead having been stripped. They were pro- 
bably despoiled of their arms, accoutrements, blankets and 
great coats, but not of their watches and money, as will ap- 
pear from the following report of Capt. Hitchcock. 

"Western Department, ) 
Fort King, Florida, Feb. 22, 1836. \ 

"'General — Agreeably to your directions, I observed the 
battle gronnd six or seven miles north of the Withlacoo- 
chee River, where Major Dade and his command were de- 
stroyed by the Seminole Indians, on the 28th December 
last, and have the honor to submit the following Report. 

"The force under your command, which arrived at this 
post to-day from Tampa Bay, encamped on the 19th in- 
stant, on the ground occupied by Major Dade on the night 
of the 27th December. He and his party were destroyed 
on the morning of the 28th, about four miles in advance of 
that position. He was advancing towards this post, and 
was attacked from the north, so that on the 20th instant we 
came upon the rear of his battle ground, about nine o'clock 
in the morning. Our advanced guard had passed the 
ground without halting, when the General and his Staff 
came upon one of the most appalling scenes that can be 
imagined. We first saw some broken and scattered bones: 
then a cart, the two oxen of which were lying dead, as if 
they had fallen asleep, their yokes still on them; a little to 
the right, one or two horses were seen. We then came to 
a small enclosure, made by felling trees in such a manner 
as to form a triangular breast- work for defence. Within 
the triangle, along the north and west faces of it, were about 



CH. 4.] INDIAN OUTRAGES. 75 

Report of Captain Hitchcock. 

thirty bodies, mostly mare skeletons, although much of the 
clothing was left upon them. These were lying, every one 
of them, in precisely the same position they must have oc- 
cupied during the fight; their heads next to the logs over which 
they had delivered their fire, and their bodies stretched with 
striking regularity parallel to each other. They had evi- 
dently been shot dead at their posts, and the Indians had not 
disturbed them, except by taking the scalps of most of them. 
Passing this little breast-work, we found other bodies along 
the road, and by the side of the road, generally behind trees, 
which had been resorted to for covers from the enemies' 
fire. Advancing about two hundred yards farther, we 
found a cluster of bodies in the middle of the road. They 
were evidently the advanced guard, in the rear of which 
was the body of Major Dade, and to the right that of Capt. 
Prase r. 

"These were doubtless all shot down by the first fire of 
the Indians, except, perhaps, Capt. Fraser, who must how- 
ever have fallen very early in the fight. Those in the 
road, and by the trees, fell during the first attack. It was 
during a cessation of the fire, that the little band still re- 
maining, about thirty in number, threw up the triangular 
breast-work, which, trom the haste with which it was con- 
structed, was necessarily defective, and could not protect 
the men in the second attack. 

"We had with us many of the personal friends of the of- 
ficers of Major Dade's command, and it is gratifying to be 
able to state, that every officer was identified by undoubted 
evidence. They were buried, and the cannon, a six pound- 
er, that the Indians had thrown into a swamp, was recover- 
ed and placed vertically at the head of the grave, where it 
is to be hoped it will long remain. The bodies of the non- 
commissioned officers and privates were buried in two 
graves, and it was found that every man was accounted for. 
The command was composed of eight officers, and one hun- 
dred and two non-commissioned officers and privates. The 
bodies of eight officers and ninety-eight men were interred, 
four men having escaped; three of whom reached Tampa 
Bay; the fourth was killed the day after the battle. 

"It may be proper to remark, that the attack was not made 



i0 INDIAN OUTRAGES. CH. 4. 

Other accounts of Dade's Massacre. 

from a hammock, but in a thinly wooded country; the In- 
dians being concealed by palmetto and grass,, which has 
since been burned. 

"The two companies were Capt. Eraser's of the 3d Artil- 
lery, and Capt. Gardiner's of the 2d Artillery. The offi- 
cers were, Major Dade of the 4th Infantry, Captains Fra- 
ser and Gardiner, Second Lieut. Bassinger, Brevet Second 
Lieutenants ft. Henderson, Mudge and Reals, of the Ar- 
tillery, and Dr. J. S. Gatlin. 

'•I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, vour obe- 
dient servant, E. A. HITCHCOCK, 

Captain 1st Infantry, Act. In. General. 
Major General E. P. Gaines, 

Commanding Western Department, Fort King, Florida. " 
A negro who had been captured by the Indians, subse- 
quently making his escape, came to Augustine, and stated 
that he was at Powell's camp when expresses arrived with 
the news of this massacre. The Indians stated that they 
had been fighting all day, and had killed 200 whites, taken 
a big gun, and lost 100 men themselves. After the first at- 
tack, when they retreated, it was with great difficulty that 
the chiefs induced them to renew the assault. Jumper and 
Alligator upbraided them with their timidity and taunt- 
ingly asked them if they were drunk, sick, or women, to 
be afraid of a few white men. Their councils finally pre- 
vailed. 

Any one who has travelled, as we have done, the road 
from Tampa Bay to Camp King, will perhaps wonder why 
the Indians selected an open pine barren for their attack, in 
preference to the thick hammocks which skirt the Hillsbo- 
rough and Ouithlacoochee rivers. We think it can be ea- 
sily explained. Powell, by his spies, had perhaps been in- 
formed of the movement of Dade's command, and sent, 
a large force to cut them off, before they could form a 
junction with Clinch. Had the attack been made in the 
hammock, a number of the whites would have escaped un- 
der shelter of the woods. The object of the Seminoles was 
to destroy every man. Possessing, as they did, an over- 
whelming force, they would neither attack in these positions, 
nor attempt to surprise the camp at night, when the troops 



CH. 4.] INDIAN OUTRAGES. 77 

Major Dade and Capuain Gardiner. 

were well protected, and might have held out against a 
thousand Indians, or destroyed a large msm be r of them. 
In the pine barren, the red men fought at equal and great- 
er advantage, whilst all chances of retreat for the pale 
faces was cut off. We may account for the omission to 
plunder the dead in the following manner. Qseola was 
hourly expecting an attack from Clinch, and no doubt had 
ordered his men to rendezvous on the Ouithlacoochee at a 
given time. This party probably constituted the reinforce- 
ment which came up late in the battle. 

There is a circumstance of peculiar interest connected 
with this affair, which, as it redounds to the honor of those 
concerned, we must not omit to record. 

Lieut. B. Alvord, of Major Dade's company, which was 
left behind at Fort Brooke, writes to Lieut. R, C. Bucha- 
nan, the Adjutant of the 4th Infantry, at Xew Orleans: — 

"Major Dade took command of this detachment under 
circumstances which reflect upon him the highest honor. 
Capt. F. S. Belton, of the 2d Artillery, commands hero. 
Gen. Clinch had ordered the commanding officer at thi 
post, to detach there two companies on their arrival. They 
arrived several weeks since, but being very weak, and the 
other companies ordered not having arrived, the accounts 
received at this time, of the hostile intentions of the In- 
dians, were such as to induce Capt. B. to postpone the 
march. On the arrival of our company from Key West, 
the two companies were strengthened from the whole com- 
mand, so as to make them 100 strong. Mrs. Gardiner was 
exceedingly ill, audit w T as supposed that if her husband left, 
she would not live. Nevertheless, Capt. Gardiner, (who 
was to command the detachment) prepared to go, and at 
reveille on the morning of the 23d, he mounted his horse 
in front of the detachment which was about to start. Ma- 
jor Dade made a proposition to the commanding officer to 
take Capt. G's. place, on account of the situation of Mrs. 
G. The proposition was accepted, and the command com- 
menced its march. Before they proceeded many miles, 
Capt. G. ascertained that the U. S. schooner Motto was 
about to sail for Key West, for the purpose of bringing two 
twelve pounders from that post, ammunition, &c. His cMU 
7* 



m INDIAN OUTRAGES, CH. 4.J 

Outrages on the East of the St. John's. 

dren, with their grandfather, were already there, and he 
concluded to send Mrs. G. to Key West in the Motto, and 
thus gratify his earnest desire to go with his company; (and 
on joining his company, the relation in which he stood to 
Major Dade, of course induced him not to demur to his con- 
tinuing in command, and proceeding to Fort King) — they 
took along a six pounder, from the belief that it would pro- 
duce a panic among the savages. But they seemed to 
have assembled in such numbers, as to render the stout de- 
fence of the unfortunate troops quite unavailing. One hun- 
dred of the Indians are said to have been mounted." 

Thus perished the gallant Dade and his command, by the 
hands of a cruel and savage foe. Their death is unavenged, 
but their fate has excited a deep and lasting interest In the 
minds of their countrymen.* They have descended to their 
oloody graves mourned and regretted by all. And though 
t ie solitude of nature reigns around their place of rest, it is 
to be hoped they will not sleep unhonored 1 and unsung; but 
that a nation's sympathies may erect some enduring memo- 
rial, which shall mark the scene of their sufTering,°and re- 
cord the virtues of these martyrs in their country's cause, 

Whilst these incidents were passing on the west of 
the St. John's River, the Indians on the east side were not 
idle, but extended their ravages from Cape Florida, almost 
to the gates of St. Augustine. The red men composing the 
band who destroyed the settlements along the Atlantic coast, 
are under the direction of an old chief named Philip, who 
resides at Topkoliky. There is a large lake, containing a 
number of islands, upon the largest of which Philip is es- 
tablished. This island is surrounded with water so deep, 
that it cannot be forded, except in one place, nor can if be 
approached from any point without discovery* Here the 
old chief resides, with his women, children, old men and ne- 
groes, attending to the cultivation of his crops, whilst his 
warriors are marauding about the country. The negroes 
are compelled to work under the supervision of urmed^sen- 



*With a fine feeling, that does infinite honor to their heads and hearts 
the Legislative Council of the Territory have recently created a new Coun- 
ty, and denominated it Dade County. It is located on the Map which I 
nave prepared for my book. 



CH. 4.] 



INDIAN OUTRAGES. 



79 



Massacres — Mr. Cooley's family. 

tinels, and should any of them attempt to escape, they are 
shot. This tribe numbers from 250 to 300 warriors, and 
perhaps as many negroes. From the rapidity with which 
the plantations were destroyed, it is evident that they must 
have divided themselves into parties of from 30 to 50, so as 
to extend themselves over the countrv, almost simultaneous- 

On the morning of the 25th December, Mr. Henry 
Woodruff, who was riding between Spring Garden and Vo- 
lusia, was waylaid, shot and scalped, by a party of Indians. 
It is said that he was killed by McKenzie, the son of a 
half breed of that name. About the same time, Messrs. 
Lenovar and Hatch were killed near Picolata. On the 
6th of January, whilst Mr. Cooly was from home, a partv 
of about thirty Indians made an attack upon his famil}% 
settled at New River, about 12 miles from Cape Florida. 
They murdered his wife, three children, and a Mr. Flinton, 
who was employed as their teacher. The children were 
sitting in the hall, getting their lessons, when the Indians 
came up by stealth, and shot them down. Flinton w r as 
killed on the threshold of the door; the little girl about 
eleven years old was found dead, with her book in her 
hand. As soon as the firing commenced. Mrs. Cooly 
snatched up her infant child, and endeavored to effect their 
escape by a back way. She was shot at a distance of 
about one hundred and fifty yards from the house, the ball 
entered between her shoulders, and after passing through 
her breast, broke the arm of the child which was cradled on 
her bosom. The little boy, about eight or nine years of age f 
was found in the yard with his skull and arm fractured, proba- 
bly done with a billet of wood. Having destroyed all of 
the white inhabitants, they shot the cattle, plundered the 
house of property worth from one thousand to twelve hun- 
dred dollars: took away two negroes, and all the horses, 
and finally set fire to the house. 

The circumstances attending the murder of Mr. Gooiy's 
family, are w 7 ell calculated to illustrate the treachery of the 
Indian character. He had resided among them for many- 
years, spoke their language well, and treated them with uni- 
form kindness and hospitality. Indeed, such was his 



80 



INDIAN OUTRAGES. . [cfi. 4, 



Destruction of property on the Keys and Plantations. 



friendship for them, that he named two of his sons after 
their chiefs Alnomock and Montezuma. His wife had 
once been a captive among them, and was esteemed a great 
favorite. Standing in this relation, and confiding in "their 
professions of friendship, which lulled him into a fatal se- 
curity, he left his home for a few days, and returned to find 
it desolate. It is a remarkable fact, that the villains who 
perpetrated the deed of death, had not the hardihood to scalp 
the poor mother and her three innocent children. Was it the 
the recollection of former friendship, that induced them thus 
to spare? Or were they conscious that their own savage col- 
leagues would have blushed for the chivalry of those war- 
riors, who could find no work more befitting their toma- 
hawks and scalping knives, than the cruel butchery of wo- 
men and children. Did they fear that some chief, more 
feeling than the rest, would ask, 

" Oh wherefore strike the beautiful, the youn«- 
So innocent, nnharming. Lift the knife, & ' 
If need be. gainst the warrior; but forbear 
The trembling woman." 

The unfortunate schoolmaster shared a different fate. To 
him they owed no obligations of friendship, he was a man, 
and as such, capable of resistance; his scalp was therefore 
torn from him, and borne off as a testimony of their savage 
triumph. 

The families which resided in the neighborhood, were 
fortunately apprised of what was going on, and effected 
their flight to Cape Florida. Mrs. Rigby, her two daugh- 
ters, and son, ran through the bushes and mangrove swamps, 
a distance of twelve miles. When thev arrived at the 
Cape, they were without shoes, and almost naked: their 
clothes having been torn to pieces by the bushes in their 
course. From fifty to sixty men, women and children has- 
tened to the light house on Key Biscavne, where a stand 
was made for one or two days, but provisions being short, 
they were compelled to retire upon Indian Kev, accompa- 
nied by Mr. Dubose, the keeper of the light, and his family. 
1 he plantations extending from Cape Florida to Augus- 
tine, were visited in turn, and nearly all the buildings, 
including the sugar mills, were destroyed. It is esli- 



CH. 4.] 



INDIAN OUTRAGES. 



-1 



Fidelity of the Slaves. 

mated that property to the amount of two hundred thousand 
dollars was burnt in one week. The houses of the plant- 
ers were plundered, and every thing of value carried off. 
Nothing was left except the storehouses containing corn 
and provisions; these were reserved by the Indians for 
their own consumption. Independently of this destruction of 
property, the loss to some of the planters was ruinous, in 
respect to their negroes; upwards of three hundred having 
been carried off; Col. Rees alone lost about one hundred 
auU sixty. And here we cannot but remark, in terms of 
high commendation, the fidelity of some of the slaves to 
their masters. Ya-ha-Hairo and Abraham the black had 
been round to all the plantations, some time previous to the 
commencement of hostilities, and endeavored to seduce 
them from their allegiance to their owners, with promises 
of liberty and plunder. With but few, very few excep- 
tions, they rejected the overtures, and voluntarily preferred 
the condition in which fate or providence had placed them. 
In several instances, after being captured by the Indians, 
they escaped at the risk of being shot, and returned to the 
whues. They also apprised their owners of the approach 
of danger, and frequently enabled them to escape. Some 
of them took up arms, and others who were acquainted wit|( 
the country, officiated as guides. The negroes of Gen. 
Hernandez, and of Mr. Dupont, were singularly distin- 
guished for their truth and fidelity to their owners. To such 
'examples as these, we may proudly point those misguided 
men, who are urging upon the public their schemes of mis- 
taken benevolence. A vast majority of our colored popu- 
lation, are attached to their owners from motives of grati- 
tude and affection, and neither ask nor seek for an interfer- 
ence which can do them no possible good. The "pale face' 5 
will find, as did the dark Yemassee of yore, and the red 
man of our day, that the relation of owner and owned at 
the South, is that of the protector and the protected— the 
kind, the indulgent master — the fond, the faithful servant. 



CHAPTER V. 



DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. 

j Battle of Ouithlacoochee— movements of Gen. Hernandez—battle of Dun- 
la wton-— Gen. Gaines's movements— arrives at Tampa— passes the spot 
ot Dade's massacre, and buries the dead—proceeds to Camp King, and 
thence attempts to return upon Tampa by Gen. Clinch's battle ground- 
endeavors to cross the Ouithlacoochee — sends express to Clinch- 
Lieut. Izard killed— the Indians cross the river, and attack Gen. Gaines 
m his trenches— an armistice and interview with Oseola. interrupted by 
the arrival of Gen. Clinch, and retreat of Indians— Gen. Gaines re- 
turns to Camp King— turns over his command to Clinch, and repairs 
to the western frontier.] 

On Monday, the 31st December, Gen. Clinch crossed 
the Ouithlacoochee, about twenty miles from its mouth, with 
his regular troops, having but a single canoe, with which to 
effect his passage. The volunteers prepared to follow; but 
whether from the noise made in attempting to force their 
horses into the river, or from some other cause, the Indians 
(encamped about a mile distant, and who otherwise might 
have been surprised) were made acquainted with their po- 
sition, and immediately repaired to the scene of action. 
Their attack upon the regulars, who, awaiting the junction 
of the volunteers, were rather at their ease, many of them 
reclining and asleep, was vigorous and desperate/ At this 
period but few volunteers had reached that bank, and many 
who had crossed, having swam their horses, were stripped 
and unarmed, They had to re-cross for both clothing and 
military accoutrements. Almost however at the same in- 
stant with the attack upon the regulars, some shots were 
fired from the opposite bank upon the volunteers, and the 
word having been given that the Indians had passed, or 
were passing the river, induced the commanding General 
of militia promptly to form for action on that bank. This 
movement, although very natural and correct, proved a 
mistake, as the Indians still remained in force on the oppo- 
site bank, and were pouring their fire with a deadly aim on 
Clinch's little band of regulars and twenty-seven volunteers. 
They sustained themselves gallantly, and having repulsed 



CH. 5.] DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. 83 

Gen. Clinch recrosses the Ouithlacoochee — his Official Report. 

the enemy, and driven them back into the hammock from 
whence they had at first issued, the General re-crossed 
with his force the Ouithlacoochee, and retired upon Fort 
Drane. There it was ascertained that most of the volun- 
teers had been enlisted "but for a very limited period; in 
some instances but for three weeks. So confident were 
their commanders, that even within that period, they could 
annihilate the Seminoles. Indeed, it has been correctly re- 
ported, that many who volunteered, believed it a frolic, in 
which there would be little or no fighting, the Indians sub- 
mitting on their approach. Fatal mistake! this premature 
and unpremeditated attack, with the immediate withdrawal 
of the volunteers, emboldened the Indian, previously dis- 
trustful of his powers, and led to consequences the most fa- 
tal to the future, as the best season for operations had been 
encroached upon. 

The following is the Official Report of General Clinch:— 
"Head Quarters, Territory of Florida, ) 
Fort Drane, Jan. 4, 1836. ) 

"Sir — On the 24th ultimo, Brigadier General Call, com- 
manding the volunteers called into service by order of his 
Excellency G. R. Walker, Acting Governor of Florida, 
formed a junction with the regular troops at this post, and 
informed me that his command had been raised to meet the 
crisis; that most of their terms of service would expire in a 
few days, which made it necessary to act promptly. Two 
large detachments were sent out on the 15th, to scour the 
country on our right and left flank. Lieut. Col. Fanning, 
with three companies from Fort King, arrived on the 27th; 
and on the 29th, the detachment having returned, the Bri- 
gade of Mounted Volunteers, composed of the 1st and 2d 
regiments commanded by Brigadier General Call, and a 
battalion of regular troops commanded by Lieut. Col. Fan- 
ning, took up the line of march for a point on the Ouithlacoo- 
chee River, which was represented by our guides as being 
a good ford. About 4 o'clock on the morning of the 31st, 
after leaving all our baggage, provisions, &c. protected by 
a guard commanded by Lieut. Dancy, we pushed on with a 
view of carrying the ford, and of surprising the main body 
of Indians, supposed to be concentrated on the west bank 



84 DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. fell. 5. 

Battle of OuitMacoochee. 

of the river, but on reaching it, about day-light, we found, 
instead of a good ford, a deep and rapid' stream, and no 
means of crossing, except in an old and damaged canoe. 
Lieut. Col. Fanning, however, soon succeeded in crossing' 
the regular troops took a position in advance, whilst Bri|.' 
Gen. Call was actively engaged in crossing his brigade', 
and in having their horses swam over the river. But be- 
fore one half had crossed, the battalion of regulars, consist- 
ing of about two hundred men, were attacked by the enemy, 
who were strongly posted in the swamp and scrub which 
extended from the river. This IMe band, however, aided 
by Col. Warren, Major Cooper and Lieut. Yeoman, with 
twenty-seven volunteers, met the attack of a savage ene- 
my, nearly three times their number, headed by the Chief 
Oseola, with Spartan valor. The action lasted nearly m 
hour, during which time the troops madv three brilliant 
charges into the swamp and scrub, and drove the enemy in 
every direction; and after the third charge, although nearly 
one-third their number had been cut down, they were found 
sufficiently firm and steady to fortify the formation of a new 
line of battle, which gave entire protection to the flanks, as 
wen as to the position selected for re-crossing the troops. 
Bng. Gen. Call, after using every effort to induce the vo- 
lunteers remaining on the east bank, when the action com- 
menced, to cross the river, and in arranging the troops still 
remaining on that bank, crossed over and rendered impor. 
tant service by his coolness and judgment in arranging part 
of his corps on the right of the regulars, which save much 
strength and security to that flank. Lieut. Col. Fannin* 
displayed the greatest firmness throughout the action, and 
added much to the high reputation long since established. 
Captains Drane and Mellon exhibited great bravery and 
judgment, and likewise added to the character they acquired 
in the late war. Nor was Capt. Gates wanting in firmness. 
Capt. Wm. M. Graham, 4th Infantry, was fearlessly brave, 
and although, severely wounded early in the engagement, 
continued to head his company in the most gallant manner' 
until he received another severe wound, when he was ta- 
ken from the field. His brother, Lieutenant Campbell Gra- 
ham, commanding adjacent company, was likewise severe - 



CH. 5.] DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. 85 



Battle of Ouithlacoochee. 

If wounded early in the fight, but continued with his men,, 
till another wound forced him, from loss of blood, to retire 
from the field. Lieutenant Maitland, who commanded a 
company, contributed much, by his gallantry, to encourage 
his men. Lieutenants Talcot, Capron, John Graham, 
Ridgely, (who was wounded early in the action) and 
Brooks, all displayed great courage and coolness through- 
out the action. When almost every non-commissioned of- 
ficer and private exhibited such firmness, it was almost im- 
possible to discriminate between them; but the Com. Gene- 
ral cannot withhold his high approbation of the judgment 
and courage displayed by Serg't. Johnson, of H. company, 
3d Artillery, on whom the command of the company de- 
volved, after Lieut. Graham was removed from the field; 
and who, although severely wounded, continued at the head 
of 'a company till the action was over. Also, of Sergeants 
Kenton and Lofton, and Corporal Paget, 4th Infantry — 
Sergeants Scofield and Potter, D. company, 2d Artillery- 
Sergeant Smith, C. company, 1st Artillery, and Corporal 
Chapin, C. -company, 3d Artillery. Col. John Warren, 
Commandant 1st Regiment Volunteers, Major Cooper, and 
Lieut. Yeoman, of same corps, who had formed on the left 
flank, were all severely wounded, while leading their little 
band to the charge; and all behaved with great bravery, as 
well as Adjutant Phillips. Lieutenant Col. Mills displayed 
great coolness and judgment during the action, and in re- 
crossing the river with his command. Lieutenants Stew- 
art and Hunter, of the 2d Regiment, with a few men of 
that regiment, were judiciously posted on the right, and 
from their reputation for firmness, would have given a good 
account of the enemy, had he made his appearance in that 
quarter. Col. Parkhill of the F. Volunteers, who perform- 
ed the duties of Adjutant General, displayed much military 
skill, and the utmost coolness and courage throughout the 
whole action; and his services were of the first importance. 
Col. Reid, Inspector General, displayed much firmness, but 
he had his horse shot, and received a slight wound early in 
the engagement, and was sent with orders to the volunteers. 
My volunteer Aid, Major Lytle, and Major Welford, Aid 
to Brigadier General Call, were near me throughout the ac- 
* 8 



86 DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. [cH. 5. 



Battle of Ouithlacoochee. 

tion, and displayed the most intrepid courage and coolness* 
Col. J H. M'Intosh, one of my aids, and Major Gamble 
Aid to General Call, both displayed much 'firmness and cou- 
rage, and were actively employed on the left flank. I also 
feel it due to Lieut. Col. Bailey, Capt. Scott, and Lieutenant 
Cuthbeit, to say, that although the action was nearly over, 
before they could cross the river with a few of the 2d Re- 
giment, they took a judicious position, and showed much 
firmness. Capt. Wyatt, of the same corps, was entirely 
employed in erecting a temporary bridg, and manifested 
much firmness. Much credit is also dee to the medical de- 
partment, composed of Drs. Waitraan, Hamilton, Randolph 
and Bradon, for their activity and attention to the wounded. 

"The term of service of the volunteers having expired, 
and most of them having expressed an unwillingness to re- 
main longer in service, it was considered best, after remov- 
ing the dead, and taking care of the wounded, to return to 
this post, winch we reached on the 2d instant, without the 
least interruption, and on the following day the Volunteers 
from Middle Florida took up the line of march for Talla- 
hassee, and this morning those from East Florida proceeded 
to their respective homes, leaving me a very few men to 
guard this extensive frontier. I am now fully convinced, 
that there has been a great defection among the Florida In- 
dians, and that a great many Creeks have united with them, 
consequently it will require a strong force to put them 
down. 

"I also have the honor to enclose you a list of the killed 
and wounded of the respective regiments and corps. 
I am, Sir, with high respect, 

Your most obedient, 

D. J. CLINCH. 
B. B. General U. S. Army, Commanding. 
R. Jones, Adj't. Gen. U. S. Army." 

Soon after the departure of Col. Warren for Foil Drane. 
intelligence reached Gen. Hernandez at St. Augustine, 
that a large body of Indians belonging to the tribe of Phil- 
ip, and headed by an Indian negro slave, by the name of 
John Cassar, had concentrated themselves near the planta- 



CH. 5.] DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE INDIANS. 



87 



Operations of Gen. Hernandez. 

tion of David Dunham, Esq., at Mosquito — that they 
evinced a disposition to be hostile, and had been tampering 
with the negroes, particularly those on the plantations of 
Messrs. Cruger and Depeyster. On receiving this infor- 
mation, Gen. Hernandez, then in command of the 2d Bri- 
gade of Florida Militia, issued his General Order, No. 1, 
requiring the 2d Regiment under the command of Col. Jos. 
S. Sanchez, to be embodied forthwith, and to hold them, 
selves in readiness to take the field. On the 10th Novem- 
ber, General Order No. 2, was issued, declaring that the 
Eastern district of Florida was invaded by the savage foe, 
and although he (Gen. H.) was not instructed by the Gov- 
ernor of the Territory, nor the U. S. Government, to call 
out the troops of his brigade for the defence of the country; 
yet from the present alarming prospect of an Indian war, 
and^the exigency of the case, he felt it his duty to do so, 
in accordance with the authority vested in him by the laws 
of the Territory. It was therefore his intention to prosecute 
the war with the greatest activity, and to check, if possible, 
the threatened destruction of lives and property. On or 
about the 20th November, General Order No. 3 was pro- 
mulgated, commanding Col. Jos. S. Sanchez to detail from 
his Regiment, Companies A. B. C. & D. Companies B. 
& C. being mounted men, under the command of Captains 
Dummett and Williams, were ordered to scour the country, 
from the head of Matanzas river, as far South as Mosquito, 
and thence to the St. John's River or Spring Garden, Com- 
pany A. a volunteer corps, called the St. Augustine Guards, 
commanded by Capt. K. B. Gibbes, was ordered to take 
post at the plantation of Darley, and to co-operate with Cap- 
tains Dummett and Williams, as circumstances might re- 
quire — the whole force being placed under the immediate 
command ot Major Putnam. Company D. commanded by 
Capt. Keogh, was ordered to Picolata, on the St. John's 
River,. for the protection of the U. S. Military Stores at 
that place. 

Whilst these preparations to meet the enemy were on 
foot, intelligence reached St. Augustine that John Csesar, 
with his party of about 200 Indians, had set fire to the ele- 
gant mansion of Mr. Dunham, at Mosquito, and that it was 



DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. [CH. 5. 

Operations of Gen. Hernandez. 

in flames when the express left. This information induced 
the several commanders to equip their companies with all 
possible despatch. It was a melancholy sight, however, to 
see how miserably these troops were provided with the ne- 
cessary equipments for a winter campaign, whenfTrom the 
nature and geography of the country, they were to encoun- 
ter great exposure and fatigue. This want of proper mu- 
nition for the militia of Florida, must, however, be attribu- 
ted to the unexpected commencement of hostilities, and to 
the impossibility of procuring fit supplies at St. Augus- 
tine. ^ Gen. Hernandez was under the necessity, therefore, 
of making out for the present with such articles as the place 
afforded, and marched off the troops with as little delay as 
possible. 

About the 13th November, Capt. Keogh took up the line 
of march for Picolata, and in a day or two after, Major 
Putnam embarked with the Augustine Guards, for Darley's 
Plantation. So rapid were the movements of the Indians 
in their devastations, that in four or five days after the burn- 
ing of Dunham's house, and before Major Putnam could 
reach Darley's, they had burnt and destroyed the Sugar 
plantation of Messrs. Cruger and Depeyster, and taken their 
negroes, about 45 in number, prisoners. The mills and 
houses of CoL Rees, at Spring Garden, were also destroy- 
ed, and his negroes, together with those of the estate of 
Woodruff, Alexander Forrester, and Joseph Woodruff, 
amounting in all to about 180, were carried off. The 
Sugar plantation and negroes of Mr. Heriot, about 80 in 
number, shared a similar fate. With these negroes, amount- 
ing to more than 300, and all the plunder and provisions 
which they could collect, they moved off to their town at 
Tohopkeleky. 

Gen. Hernandez was induced by these alarming events, 
personally to take the field, and to assume command of the 
troops in that quarter, leaving Col. Jos. S. Sanchez in 
charge at St. Augustine. He left Augustine, attended by his 
aids, and an escort of about twenty mounted men, who vol- 
unteered for the occasion. After visiting the different posts 
in his route, he took up his head quarters at Darley's, where h e 
found Major Putnam encamped. The intelligence concern - 



CH. 5.] DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. 89 

Murder of Llenovar. 

ing the Indian depredations having been confirmed by Ma- 
jor Putnam, (who had in his possession a negro slave be- 
longing to Cruger & Depeyster, named Castalio, and who 
had been recaptured from the Indians by Capt. Dummett; 
and the same negro having further stated that it was the in- 
tention of John Caesar to return and carry off the provi- 
sions which had been left at the different plantations) an 
immediate pursuit was resolved upon. At daylight the 
next morning, the General started, accompanied by his es- 
cort, a portion of Major Putnam's Company, and Captain 
Dummett 's corps of mounted men. The Infantry was or- 
dered to scour the banks of the Halifax River, and the 
mounted men to penetrate the interior. The General's ex- 
ertions, however, proved unavailing; the enemy had fled 
far beyond his reach, and the pursuit was commenced about 
two days too late. Recent traces of the Indians were how- 
ever discovered; the smoking ruins, sugar works demolish- 
ed, and the huge masses of shattered brick and stone work, 
the wrecks of Indian barbarity, marked their course. 

Fatigued and disappointed, Gen. Hernandez, with his 
little band of followers, returned to Camp Darley. In the 
mean time, the city of St. Augustine had been thrown into 
great alarm, by intelligence received through a negro, of 
the murder of Llenovar, at Mr. Bayar's plantation, by a 
party pf about 30 Indians, led by John Hicks, (son of the 
celebrated John Hicks, one of the signers of the treaty.) It 
was also stated that they were murdering the inhabitants, 
and laying waste the plantations in that vicinity. It may 
not be uninteresting to state the circumstances attending the 
death of Llenovar. When the Florida Militia were called 
into the field by Gen. Hernandez, a large portion of the men 
under his command, were inhabitants of Augustine, a ma- 
jority of whom are the descendants of persons brought from 
the Island of Minorca, by Dr. Andrew Turnbull, about the 
year 1763. These people are accustomed to labor for 
their support, and many of them cultivated the soil in the 
vicinity of St. Augustine, in this way supplying their fami- 
lies with provisions. Some of them, however, had esta- 
blished plantations, between the city and the St. John's Ri- 
ver, and among them w& a *he plantation of Bayar, about 12 
8* 



90 DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. [cH. 5. 

Murder of Llenovar. 

miles from Augustine. Llenovar was an unmarried man, 
and a tradesman. Being obliged to take up arms in de- 
fence of the territory, he was forced to abandon his trade, 
and the cultivation of the soil by which he supported an 
aged mother, who was entirely dependant upon his exer- 
tions for a maintenance. His supply of corn being ex- 
hausted, he was desirous of obtaining a sufficient quantity 
to meet the expected emergency. He therefore resolved, 
with a full knowledge of the danger to which he exposed 
himself, to go to Bayar's, accompanied by his brother, about 
15 years of age, and to bring in a load. It was, however, 
necessary, that he should procure the permission of Col. 
Jos. S. Sanchez. The Colonel, on his application, told 
Llenovar that he did not like to refuse him permission, but 
at the same time he considered it an exceedingly hazardous 
undertaking, and begged him to abandon his project. Lle- 
novar said he was determined to go, that he was not afraid 
of being scalped, and would return on the morrow. Col. 
Sanchez, rinding him determined, reluctantly assented to 
his going, and he started immediately in company with his 
brother. 

On the evening of the same day, one of Bayar's negroes 
fled from his place to Augustine, and spread the alarm°pro- 
duced by his murder, as already stated. The citizens im- 
mediately volunteered, and formed themselves into a com- 
pany of mounted men, for the purpose of pursuing this par. 
ty. In two hours after they were apprised of the occur- 
rence, about thirty mounted men were on the route to 
Bayars, under the command of Major Smith. About six 
miles from the city, they met Mr. Weedman, accompanied 
by his family, who confirmed the intelligence respecting the 
death of the elder Llenovar. Young Llenovar, who fortu- 
tately escaped, stated that his brother and himself were 
loading their cart, when, without seeing an Indian, he heard 
the report of a rifle, and saw his brother fall, by his side. 
He attempted to raise him, and discovered that he was 
dead. In order to ensure his own safety, he ran into a 
palmetto scrub, near the spot. The Indians came up, 
.scalped his brother, set fire to the house, and threw his 
body into the flames, They were painted, and their bodies 



0 



CH. 5.] DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. 91 
Major Putnam ordered to Dunlawton. 

were much disfigured. So near were the Indians to young 
Llenovar's place of concealment, that he heard them dis- 
tinctly say. that they intended to pay a visit to Mr. Weed- 
man that night. After some consultation, the Indians mov- 
ed off in the direction of Deep Creek. As soon as they 
were out of sight, young Llenovar fled, through the woods 
and bye-paths, to Weed man's plantation on the Picolata 
road. Mr. Weedman, without delay, very* prudently,. 
placed his family on horseback* and started for Augustipe^. 

After an absence of five or six days at the South, Gen. 
Hernandez returned to Augustirfe. and being informed that 
a company of volunteers from Savannah, under the com- 
mand of Capt. Stevens, had arrived at Picolata, for the pur- 
pose of protecting that place — he ordered Capt. Keogh's 
company to be relieved by the Rifle company called the 
Florida Rangers, Company G. commanded by Capt. Geo. 
L. Phillips. Shortly after this, a communication was re- 
ceived from Major Putnam., stating the unsuitableness of 
the position which he had occupied at Barley's, for a post, 
and that he had fallen back upon Bulowville, a site, in his 
opinion, every way better calculated for the intended oper- 
ations of the army. He, at the same time, requested a re- 
inforcement, having received information that Philip's party 
had returned, and were committing depredations on the 
plantations of Samuel K. Williams, and Geo. Anderson. 
Capt. Keogh was ordered to repair with his company to 
Bulowville, and report himself to Major Putnam for duty. 
On the next morning, he embarked with his command. 
Previous, however, to this movement, despatches had been 
§mt to Major Putnam, directing him to send a detachment 
to Dunlawton, (the plantation of Geo. Anderson) and re- 
move with as little delay as possible, all the corn that could 
be found, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the In- 
dians, for which purpose fiats would be provided by Mr. 
-Anderson. On the arrival of Capt. Keogh at Bulowville, 
Major Putnam proceeded with the Augustine Guards, and 
Capt. Dummett's company, to Dunlawton, Capt. Keogh's 
company being left in charge of the post at Bulowville. 
The two companies embarked in three boats, and proceed- 
ed down Bulow's creek to its juncture with the Halifax ri- 



92 DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. [CH. 5. 

Battle of Dunlawton. 

ver, and landed in the afternoon at Dummett's plantation. 
Very recent traces of Indians were discovered, a quantity 
of lead had been cut from the sugar boilers, the household 
furniture had been broken up, and as much injury done to 
the premises as could be effected without fire. About 4 
o'clock, the command re- embarked, and about two hours 
after dusk, overtook the flats which had been sent on the day 
before with provisions, in charge of Sergeant Cooper, and 
three or four men. They reported that they had seen a 
number of Indians dancing around a fire made by the burn- 
ing of G. & J. Anderson's dwelling house — the smoke from 
which had also been seen from the boats, after leaving 
Dummett's. 

Sergeant Cooper and his men were transferred to the 
boats, and the whole command was ordered to approach in 
silence, and with the utmost caution, towards the burning 
buildings. It was the intention of Major Putnam to land 
some distance from the buildings, and to advance upon their 
rear, but from a misapprehension of the order by a Lieuten- 
ant in charge of one of the boats, that intention was frustra- 
ted. He having advanced directly towards the flames, the 
other boats were compelled to move ,up to his support. 

On landing, the men were formed in the rear of the smoul- 
dering ruins, in a position where they were out of the re- 
flection of the light. A consultation was held by the offi- 
cers as to what course should be pursued, and it was deter- 
mined to march up to the Sugar House, which was distant 
about one mile from the river. The command had not, 
however, proceeded more than 150 yards, before thev 
came to a pen, containing cattle, which had been probably 
enclosed and held in readiness for an early start in the 
morning. This circumstance induced a change in the plan 
of operations, and it was agreed to divide the men equally, 
and to place them in two negro houses, situated on either 
side of the road leading to the Sugar House, and beyond 
the pen. It was expected that the Indians would pass these 
houses to get at the cattle in the morning. The men 
kept this position until day-light, very soon after which, 
the sentinel reported that he saw two Indians approach- 
ing. They were allowed to approach within good shoot- 



CH. 5.] DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. 



93 



Retreat from Dunlawton. 

ing distance, when the signal was given by Capt. Dummett, 
firing his rifle at the foremost. They were much startled 
and astonished, particularly when both companies rushed 
out and fired upon them. One fell on the spot where he 
was first shot at — the other succeeded in moving off to 
some distance before he dropped, leaving his rifle behind him. 
The men were ordered immediately to extend themselves 
in open order, in the pine barren, and be ready to receive 
the enemy, who was not long in making his appearance. 
The Indians came down the road from the Sugar House, 
talking loudly, and it was supposed from their boldness that 
they must be in considerable force. As a thick scrub lay in 
the rear of Major Putnam's men, and between them and the 
river, they were ordered to retire beyond it to the, burnt 
buildings on the river side, so as to prevent the enemy from 
cutting off their retreat to the boats. They had not taken 
up their position more than fifteen minutes, when their right 
was fired upon by a party of the enemy, which advanced bold- 
ly down the canal bank, until checked by a heavy discharge. 
A second party now advanced directly in front through the 
scrub, and opened a severe fire, which was returned with in- 
terest. This lasted about fifteen minutes, when Major 
Putnam ordered his men to retire to their boats. Some got 
in and pushed them off, when the order to retreat was coun- 
termanded, as the enemy was rushing down, whooping, 
and flourishing their guns over their heads, as they let 
them off. At the call to rally, the troops immediately re- 
turned, with the exception of one or two, and poured upon 
the advancing foe so hot and deadly a fire, that he was 
forced to retreat back into the scrub. Shortly after, a large 
reinforcement to the Indians was seen coming clown the main 
road, headed by a chief on horseback, who was encouraging 
and leading them onward. The order to take to the boats 
was again given. The descent from the shore being very 
gradual,, the boats were at some distance from the landing, 
and were, at the time, aground. The smallest, which was 
built like a whaler, was left, whilst the two canoes, after 
some considerable difficulty, were got afloat. It was while 
the men were pushing them off, that most execution 
was done by the enemy, as it required the united strength 



94 DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. [CH. 5. 



Arrival at Billow's . 

of all. Independently of this, in wading out, few had 
taken the precaution to hold their guns over their 
heads, consequently, most of the locks were wet. Of the 
party who abandoned the whale boat, one, a negro belong, 
ing to Mr. Anderson, was killed in the water:" another, a 
white man, entered one of the canoes, and a third swam 
over to Pelican Island. When they had proceeded 
some distance from the shore, the Indians came down, dan- 
cing, and whooping, and performing all sorts of antics, to 
testify their joy. They seized the whaler, and by main 
strength, dragged her off, and about ten of them, getting in- 
to her, came out a short distance from the shore; they were 
immediately fired upon by such as had dry guns, which 
stopped them. When the savages first came out, they were 
seen to pick up one of the two negroes, who left the 'whale 
boat, without harming him. 

To return to the two canoes. One of them got ashore 
on the point of Pelican Island, which lies directly opposite 
the battle ground, in the middle of the river. "The men 
were all obliged to jump out so as to lighten her, as the tide 
was rapidly ebbing. It was at this time that young Gould 
sprang out with the rest. It is supposed that he mistook 
the object of the others, for instead of remaining by the 
boat, he ran up the island, and no persuasion could induce 
him to come back. The necessity was urgent; the men 
could not wait for him except at their own peril; he was 
therefore left! Sails were hoisted, and all speed was made 
to overtake the other boat, which was hastening to Bil- 
low's creek, in order to reach his place before the'lndians. 
Had they not done so, the savages might easily have cut off 
their retreat, and slaughtered them to a man, in their pres- 
ent crippled condition. There were positions all along the 
river, where the woods stretched down to the water's edge, 
and where situations presented themselves admirably adap- 
ted for an Indian ambush. 

The two canoes arrived safely at Bulow's, about 3 o'clock 
in the afternoon, when a party was immediately despatched 
on horseback down the beach, to look for Gould and Marks. 
They soon returned with the latter, and the negroes who 
had manned the flats, and taken the beach as soon as they 



CH. 5.] DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. 



95 



Statement of Killed and Wounded. 

saw the result of the battle. Marks stated that he swam 
over to Pelican island, and found Gould there, whom he ad- 
vised to cross and take to the beach; but he would not ven- 
ture, having no confidence in himself as a swimmer. As 
soon as Marks had rested himself, he jumped overboard and 
swam to the beach. While there crouching under the 
bushes, he saw the Indians cross in the whale boat to the 
flats, and destroy every thing that they contained; after 
which, they recrossed without seeing Gould. His friends, 
therefore, have the satisfaction of knowing almost to a cer- 
tainty, that he fell not into the hands of the merciless sav- 
age, and though his sufferings must have been great, they 
were not aggravated by the refined tortures of the ruthless 
barbarian. 

The following is a correct list of the killed and wounded, 
in the battle of Dunlawton: 

Killed. — One negro, belonging to Mr. Anderson. 

Wounded. — St. Augustine Guards — Major Putnam, Lt. 
John R. Mitchell, Lieut. N. C. Scobie, Sergeant Cooper, 
(disabled) Sergeant Domingo Martinelli, (since dead;) Pri- 
vates Julius Reynolds, John Simpson, Bartolo Canovas, 
Charles Flora, (since dead) Domingo Usina. 

Capt. Douglas Dummett's Company B. — Capt. Dummett, 
Lieut. W. H. Williams, Sergeant Ormond,* Privates M'» 
Murchie and Shelden. Ben. Wiggins, a colored man, who 
acted as a guide, after killing three Indians, was himself se- 
verely wounded. 

About the 20th January, despatches reached General 
Hernandez from Major Putnam, detailing the results of the 
battle of Dunlawton. The Seminoles had several men 



*We are greatly indebted to this very amiable young gentleman, and 
to Captain John C. Cleland, (Adjutant 2d Brigade Florida Militia) 
for much of the information detailed in relation to the movements of Gen, 
Hernandez, the battle of Dunlawton, &c. These two very intelligent 
and gallant volunteers, now resident in Charleston, were eye-witnesses or 
participants in the events just narrated. Sergeant Ormond, it will be per- 
ceived, was wounded; his person has several proofs of his valor, and one 
of the balls struck so critical a spot, that it must have proved fatal, but for 
the fact that the Indians loaded very inefficiently, and without patches. 
This hypothesis is also confirmed by the case of Mr. Shelden, who was 
ehot in the forehead, (between the eyes) whence the ball was readily ex- 
tracted, by a very slight incision. 



96 



DMOKSTEATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. [cH. 5, 



Post at Bulowville abandoned. 

killed,(about ten) and many wounded. Maj. P had.however, 
been compelled, from the great superiority of the enemy, 
to retreat, and succeeded in reaching Bulowville. His 
force having been so much reduced, it would* be impossible 
for him to do any thing more than act on the defensive, 
should the Indians attack him with all their strength. In ad- 
dition to this, his men being worn out with constant and 
arduous duty, had become dissatisfied; he therefore request- 
ed that he might either be relieved, or permitted to aban- 
don the post. Major Putnam was directed by General Her- 
nandez to maintain his position, until Col. Sanchez, with 
about fifty men, all the available troops at St. Augustine, 
should be able to reach St. Joseph's. If, however, it was 
no longer practicable for him to remain at Bulowville, he 
was directed to fallback on St. Josephs, where he would be 
reinforced by Col. Jos. S. Sanchez, and that they should 
both co-operate in protecting and saving the negroes, and 
other property in that quarter, from the hands of the Indians. 

These orders were strictly complied with, and about the 
27th January, all of Billow's, Williams', Dupont's, and Gen. 
Hernandez' negroes, with such other property as could 
be removed, were safely landed at Anastasia Island, oppo- 
site Augustine, where the city authorities had directed 
that the negroes should be located. The troops then re- 
tired to St. Augustine. 

Gen. Games, who left his head quarters at Memphis*, 
(Term.) on a tour of inspection, arrived at New Orleans 
about the I5th January, 1836. Here ne was informed for 
the first time of the disturbances in Florida, and particular- 
ly of the massacre of Major Dade and his command. He 
immediately communicated with the Governor of Louisiana, 
and requested him to call upon and ho'd in readiness a body 
of volunteers for service, in subduing the Seminole Indians. 
He then proceeded to Pensacola for the purpose of solicit- 
ing the co-operation of the naval forces on that station. Ar- 
riving there, he found that his wishes had been anticipated. 
Commodores Dallas and Bolton, and Captain Webb, hav- 
ing already directed their attention towards Tampa Bay, 



CH. 5.] DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. 97 



Gen. Gaines reaches Camp King. 

and other inlets of Florida, whither they had ordered ma- 
rines and munitions of war. 

On his arrival at Mobile, Gen. Gaines felt called upon to 
adopt the most prompt and decisive measures to sustain the 
military post within his command, and secure peace to the 
frontier. He therefore ordered Lieut. Col. Twiggs, 
to receive into service eight companies of the volunteers 
requested from the Governor of Louisiana, and (together 
with the regular force at Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and 
other stations in the immediate vicinity of New Orleans,) to 
hold himself in readiness for a movement to Tampa Bay. 
This order was dated at Mobile, on the 18th day of January. 

On the 26th January, after visiting Pensacola, the Gen- 
eral returned to New Orleans. His forces were equipped 
and organized, and started the 4th day of February, in 
three steamboats. He arrived at Tampa Bay on the 9th, 
and on the 13th, took the field. His first movement was in 
the dirction of the Alafia river, but being satisfied, after two 
days march and reconnoitering the county, that the Indians 
could not be in that vicinity, he directed his steps toward 
Camp King. He had taken only ten days rations with him, 
but was under the impression that a large supply of stores 
had been collected at that post. 

The march was continued to Fort King, passing on the 
20th Feb. the battle ground of the gallant band cut off under 
Major Dade, where Gen. G. had the bodies of 106 heroes 
interred. The troops moved to solemn music around the 
little breastwork. The march was continued for a short 
distance on that day. On the 22d February, the command 
arrived at Camp King, and agreeably surprised the garrison 
of one company of artillery stationed at that post. 

On his arrival at Camp King, Gen. Gaines found a very 
insufficient supply of stores. The next morning, the 23d, 
all the horses were sent to Fort Drane, 22 miles north-west, 
with a convoy for provisions. On the 24th, the convoy 
returned with all that could be procured, which was but 
seven days' rations. This, with two days supply found at 
Camp King, made up all that could be looked for from this 
quarter. After mature deliberation, the General determin- 
ed to move south by the battle ground of Clinch. 
9 



r»E3I0XSTRATI0ys AGAINST THE INDIANS. [cH. 5. 



Gen. Gaines arrives at the Ouithlacoochee. 

The General left Camp King on the 26th February, and 
on the 27th, at 2 o'clock, reached the right bank of the 
Ouithlacoochee. at the point where General Clinch crossed 
the river on the 31st December. From the time of leaving 
Tampa Bay. the same order of march had been observed, 
viz., the army had been divided into three columns, aright, 
centre, and left, being about one hundred yards distant 
from each other, with a strong advance and rear guard, the 
baggage being in rear of the centre column. In this order, 
the army struck the river at three points, the advanced 
guard as the centre being at the usual crossing place. The 
baggage and rear had been ordered to halt, as the General 
only intended to examine the crossing place. Up to this 
time, no conveyance had been offered, and but few antici- 
pated it at the Ouithlacoochee. Many of the men exposed 
themselves while sounding the river: suddenly, a spirited 
fire was opened on the left flank, accompanied by the war- 
whoop of the savages. The fight continued about half an 
hour, the enemy being on the left bank, when the General 
ordered the troops to encamp near the river. One man 
was killed, and eight wounded in this engagement. 

On the 28th, the army moved down the river about two 
miles, where the bank was more open and less covered with 
thickets. The advanced guard was fired upon, and Lieut. 
Izard, of the IL S. Dragoons, mortally wounded. He fell, 
bul partially recovering himself, commanded his men, with 
the utmost composure, to keep their positions and lie close. 
After five days of suffering, he died on the 5th day of 
March, and was buried on the banks of the Ouithlacoochee. 
The fight was continued on the 28th, from 9 o'clock until 
1 P. M. with little or no intermission, when the army again 
encamped. During this time, the Indians kept up a con- 
tinuous yell, except during an interval, when they retreated 
for a short time. The loss this day, beside Lieut. Izard, 
was one man killed, and Capt. Sanders, commanding the 
friendly Indians, and Capt. Armstrong, commanding the U. 
S. schr. Motto, both volunteers, wounded, the latter slightly. 
On the evening of this day, an express was sent to Fort 
Drane, to report to the officer in command, that the ene- 
my had been found in force, and recommending an immedi- 



CH. 5.] DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. 



99 



Battle on the Banks of the Ouithlacoochee. 

ate movement, crossing the Ouithlacoochee some distance 
above, and thence to move upon the enemy's rear, which it 
was hoped would terminate the w r ar. 

On the 29th, in the morning, the enemy was silent, which 
the General considered as indicating an intended attack. 
One third of the command was kept at the breast works, and 
the others employed in making preparations to cross the 
river. About 9 o'clock, the working party was attacked, 
and simultaneously a fire was poured in on three sides of 
the camp — that next the river being the only one not as- 
sailed. 

The fight continued more than two hours, during which 
time one man was killed, and three officers and thirty men 
were wounded. Gen. Gaines was wounded by a ball 
through the lip, which knocked out one of his teeth. He 
seemed less affected by the accident than any one in the 
army, the men being much attached to him by his gallant 
bearing and devotion. The enemy at length retired in con- 
fusion, and contrary to their custom, left one of their dead 
on the ground, after having dragged him some distance. 
The number of Indians was estimated at fifteen hundred. 

The enemy having crossed the river, another express 
was sent to Fort Drane, with intelligence of the fact, and 
suggesting a corresponding movement; also requesting a 
supply of provisions. On the 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th of March, 
the enemy kept firing at intervals, and our sharp shooters 
were employed in picking them off wherever they showed 
themselves In the mean time, the scanty supply of provi- 
sions became exhausted, and some were three days without 
food. In the midst of this distress, not a murmur was 
heard, nor a suggestion made of retreat; although, as a 
last resource from famine, some horses were killed, and the 
flesh distributed among the men. 

On the evening of the 5th, a parley was requested by an 
Indian, stating that they were tired of fighting, and would 
make peace. He was directed to come in the morning with 
a white flag. On the morning of the 6th, at about 10 o'- 
clock, about 300 Indians filed out from the river, and took 
up a position in the rear of our army, at a distance of three 
hundred paces. They were armed, and our men were fully 



100 DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. [CH. 5. 

Interview between Gen. Gaines and Oseola. 

impressed with the belief that this movement was a mere 
feint, supposing the residue of their force to be in a neigh- 
boring hammock: and were confident of an assault from 
some other quarter. A period of some minutes elapsed, 
during which each party appeared to be awaiting the move, 
ment of the other. At length, one or two Indians advanced 
a short distance, with considerable trepidation, from the ap- 
prehension of being entrapped; they approached near 
enough to be heard, and after being joined by four or five 
others, came within about 200 yards, and repeated what 
had been declared the night before. The General then 
directed a staff officer to go out to them, and hear what 
they had to say. A report was brought back to the Gen- 
eral, that the Indians did not wish to fight any more, but 
they wanted him to retire from the Ouithlacoochee. The 
staff officer was then ordered to return , and inform them of 
the exact truth, as to the force ordered into the country to 
subdue them; that additional force was expected every day; 
that the time was near, when every Indian found with a rifle 
in his hand, would be shot down. This was communicated 
with such explanations as were deemed necessary to give 
it force; and they then said they would go and hold a coun- 
cil, and would assemble again in the afternoon to give an 
answer. In the afternoon they came as before, including, 
as in the morning, the celebrated Powell, Jumper, with sev- 
eral others, and the interpreter Abram. The General's 
Staff Officer had two or three others present with him from 
Gaines' camp, at this talk. The Indians repeated much of 
what they had said in the morning: that they had lost many 
men by wounds and death, and were tired of war, and want- 
ed peace: but as their Governor, as they called him, Miea- 
nope, was not with them, they wanted time to consult him. 
They, therefore, asked a cessation of war. They were 
then informed, that if they would cease from all acts of hos- 
tility, retire south of the Ouithlacoochee, and promise to 
attend a council when called upon by the U. S. Commis- 
sioners, they should not, for the present, be molested, Os- 
eola, however, willing to suspend hostilities for the time, or 
indefinitely, was not willing to leave the country, but stipu- 
lated that the Indians would confine themselves on the 



CH. 5. J DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. 



101 



Gen. Gaines relinquishes the command to General Clinch. 

other side of the Ouithlacoochee, and have that for a boun- 
dary between them and the whites. Whilst this interview 
was going on, Oseola informed Gen. Gaines' officer, that 
General Clinch was on his way to join him, with a large 
number of horsemen. He expressed his willingness that 
hostilities should cease, and to give up his arms. 

In the midst of these negotiations, Gen. Clinch's army 
came up, and his advanced guard, seeing the Indians in 
battle array, and not being aware of what was going on, 
immediately fired and charged upon them. The Indians 
retreated to the hammocks, and the armistice was of course 
broken up. 

On reaching the Camp, Gen. Clinch found Gen. Gaines' 
men in great distress, they were literally in a state of star- 
vation. They had killed and eaten several horses and 
dogs; and articles of food, even of the coarsest kind, were 
sold at most extravagant prices. The Alachua Volunteers 
cheerfully distributed their biscuits and corn, reserving 
none for themselves; and it was an affecting sight to see 
with what thankfulness the boon was received at the hands 
of their deliverers. 

On the 9th day of the month, Gen. Gaines thought pro- 
per to deliver over the command to Gen. Clinch, and issu- 
ed the following order: 

Head Quarters, Western Department, } 
Fort Izard, on the Ouithlacoochee, Florida, > 
March 9, 1836. ) 
ORDER NO. 7. 

I. — Called to East Florida by the savage massacres and 
conflagrations on the 28th December, and the following 
mouth, the Commanding General hastily collected, in Lou- 
isiana, the forces which accompanied him through that pa- 
triotic State. These troops, in the short space of thirty- 
six days, have marched by land and water nearly eight 
hundred miles — one hundred and forty through the country 
occupied by the enemy, whose principal force th y have 
met, beaten, and forced to sue for peace. 

II. — These important objects of the campaign having 
been accomplished with the hearty and cordial co operation 
of Brig. Gen. Clinch, (to whose sound judgment the de- 

9* 



102 DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. [cH. 5. 



Gen. Gaines' orders. 

fence of this frontier had been wisely confided, and by 
whose gallantry the enemy had been chastised on the 31st 
December, and since held in check as far as his limited 
means would allow,) the troops of Louisiana are placed un- 
der his command, in order to guard against the known 
faithlessness of the enemy, until the arrival of the forces 
under the officer charged with the diplomatic arrangements 
of the War Department. Whenever, and as soon as that 
officer shall mature his plan of operations, and accomplish 
the duties assigned him, the forces from Louisiana will re- 
turn to New-Orleans. 

III. — The Commanding General cannot, consistently 
with his views of propriety, take leave of the troops by 
whom he has been so manfully sustained, without tender- 
ing to them his grateful acknowledgments for the constan- 
cy and courage with which they have performed every du- 
ty, and borne privations, the recital of which would not fail 
to command the admiration of the virtuous and wise of ev- 
ery section of the Republic. The officers and soldiers of 
the whole of these forces, (including the Artillery from 
Tampa Bay, acting as a Light Brigade under command of 
Lieut. Col. Twiggs of the 4th Infantry,) have performed 
their duty so much to the satisfaction of the ' General, that 
he cannot discriminate between the relative claim of corps, 
of officers, or other individuals, without the risk of invidi- 
ous distinction: — all did their duty cheerfully and gallantly, 
and when it became necessary to meet the question, whe- 
ther to eat the meat of their own horses, or to abandon 
an important position, all cheerfully preferred this unplea- 
sant subsistence, to any movement that would endanger the 
frontier. The horse meat was accordingly eaten by offi- 
cers and men, until the enemy was beaten, and sued for 
peace. A timely supply of provisions arrived, escorted by 
the brave Georgians, Floridians and Regulars, under Gen. 
Clinch, at the moment the pacific propositions of the enemy 
were in the act of being answered. The Indians were 
fired upon by the General's light troops, before he could be 
notified of the object of their being near the camp: they 
have since disappeared. 

IV. — The General deeply regrets the fall of 1st Lieut. 



CH. 5.] DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. 



103 



Remarks on the terms proposed by Oseola. 

J. F. Izard, of the Dragoons, acting Brigade Major, and in 
command of the advance guard. He fell at the head of 
his corps, and though mortally wounded, had the heroic pre- 
sence of mind to order, "Keep your positions, men, and lie 
close." 2d Lieut. Duncan, 2d Artillery, was slightly 
wounded. Capt. Sanders commanding the friendly In- 
dians, was severely wounded. Capt. Armstrong, of the U. 
S. transport schooner Motto, was slightly wounded. The 
two last named officers were in the advance, where their 
services had been highly useful during the march. This 
officer and twenty-nine N. C. officers and soldiers of other 
companies of the Regiment, evinced their gallantry by 
their good conduct, as welt as by their honorable wounds. 
The General is convinced that he never commanded a finer 
corps: its chief would do honor to any service. 

The Officers of the Medical Department merit the ap- 
probation of the General, for the attentive and skilful man- 
ner in which their duties were discharged. 

List of killed and wounded: 

Killed — 1st. Lieut. J. F. Izard, Dragoons; Sergeant F. 
Dunn, 2d Artillery; Privates F. Bolie, V. Beck, H. Butler, 
of Louisiana Volunteers — total 5. 

Wounded — Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and 
Privates; 2d Artillery, 8; 4th Infantry, 8; Louisiana Vo- 
lunteers, 30 — Total wounded, 46. 

By command of Major General Gaines. 

GEO. A. M'CALL, 
A. D. C. Act'g. Ass't. Adj. General. 

It is difficult to explain the motives of Oseola, in request- 
ing an interview with Gen. Gaines, when he had entirely 
surrounded him with his followers, and had nearly starved 
his army, unless we attribute his conduct to a belief on his 
part, that having his enemy completely in his power, he 
might dictate his own terms. Indeed this hypothesis be- 
comes greatly strengthened, when we take into considera- 
tion the fact, that he only asked for the Indians to be left 
alone in the quiet possession of part of the territory — 
in opposition to solemn and re-affirmed treaties. He chose 
too a time for making these modest proposals, when he 
knew that Gen. Clinch was coming to the rescue and sup- 



104 DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. |"cH. 5. 



Generai Clinch assumes the command, and retires to Fort Drane. 

port of Gaines. It has been supposed that the affair 
was a stratagem, by which he hoped to introduce five hun- 
dred Indians into the camp, under the pretext of delivering 
up their arms, when he intended to make an attack with his 
whole force, and taking advantage of the confusion, to mas- 
sacre the entire command before Clinch could render them 
any assistance. We think this suggestion highly improba- 
ble. The Indians are not fond of close quarters, and were 
not provided with weapons suitable for contending against 
the bayonet.* After a careful investigation of all the cir- 
cumstances, we think that every impartial mind must arrive 
at the conclusion, that Gen. Gaines' victory at the Ouith- 
lacoochee is not an event, the repetition of which is greatly 
to be desired. We regret the results of some of his move- 
ments, esteeming and respecting him as an old, an experi- 
enced, and gallant soldier; and more especially, believing 
that he is entitled to great credit for the promptness and 
energy with which he entered upon the discharge of what 
he believed to -be his duties. If, however, the Indians had 
been so severely handled as to induce them to sue for 
peace, how did it happen that Gen. Gaines was unable to 
make a sortie upon them, and by a decisive blow, put an 
end to the campaign. Not such, however, was the fact. 
The Indians were not only able to hoM their own ground, 
and keep the whites within their entrenchments, but also 
succeeded in moving off unmolested, after Gen. Clinch ar- 
rived with five hundred additional troops, many of whom 
were mounted. Another such victory would be more than 
the reputation of any one General could stand without de- 
triment. « 

On the arrival of Gen. Clinch, the command of the troops 
was transferred to him, and for reasons assigned in his or- 
ders, he retired with all his forces to Fort Drane. Gen. 
Gaines, in pursuance of an order from the Hon. Lewis 
Cass, Secretary of War, from which the following is ex- 
tracted, returned to the Western frontier. 



*If we conclude that Micanope was not at any great distance, or that the 
need to consult him was unreal, the idea is more likely that the object of 
Oseola's interview with Gen. G., was to gain time to remove the women 
children and effects. 



CH. 5.] DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. 



105 



Force of Gen. Gaines. 

War Department, 23d Jan. 1836. 
Sir — I am instructed by the President to request that 
you would repair to some proper position near the Western 
Frontier of the State of Louisiana, and there assume the 
personal command of all the troops of the United States, 
who are, or may be employed in any part of the region 
adjoining the Mexican boundary. It is not the intention of 
this order to change at all the relations between yourself 
and the military departments under your command, but to 
require your personal presence at a point, where public con- 
siderations demand the exercise of great discretion and 
prudence." 

General Gaines's Army was composed as follows: — Offi- 
cers, 

Maj. Gen. Gaines, Commanding. 

Lt. Col. Twiggs, Commanding Brigade. 

Capt. Shannon, Quarter Master. 

Capt. Hitchcock, } 

Lt. McCall, V Staff. 

Lt. Izard, ) 
Lt. Col. Foster, Commanding 4th Regiment, United 
States Infantry, seven companies, two hundred and sixty- 
five soldiers. Officers, — Lt. Col. Foster, Maj. Wilson, 
Major Lear, Lieutenants T. Paige, Screven, Buchanan, 
Alvord, Scott, Myers, Mitchell and Reese. 

Major Belton, commanding Artillery, four companies, 
one hundred and seventy soldiers. Officers, Major Belton, 
Majors Mountford and Zantzinger, Lieuts. Grayson, Lin- 
nard, Adams, Duncan, Stockton, Henderson, Allen and 
Morgan. Medical Staff, Drs. Heiskell, Leavenworth, Cuy- 
ler and Reynolds. 

A Regiment of Louisiana Volunteers, twelve companies, 
seven hundred soldiers, commanded by Col. T. F. Smith, 
together with seventy friendly Indians. 

On his return to his station, Gen. Gaines was greeted^ 
with the applause and commendation of the inhabitants of 
the several towns and cities through which he passed. 




THE AUTHOR'S JOURNAL CHARLESTON TO AUGUSTINE. 

[Sympathies of Charleston in behalf of Florida — public meetings and pro- 
ceedings consequent thereon — departure of Volunteers to defend Augus- 
tine — state of men and things during the voyage to Savannah — the Au- 
thor tries to be funny — brief visit to Savannah — leave for Florida — the 
Author does'nt quote a verse because he does'nt recollect it — omits ano- 
ther in deference to the judgment of his publishers, as to what will take — 
reception at Augustine — public meetings there and at Jacksonville — the 
thirty days campaign in the city (?) — the Volunteers Gazette — their re- 
turn to Charleston.] 



A voice from the South tells a sad mournful story, 

Of ruin and carnage, and war's dread alarms, 
And the Angel of Freedom moves by in her glory, 

And summons Columbia's proud patriots to arms!-— 
Not in vain does she call, for the pure flame is gushing, 

Like the sun when it breaks through the morning's soft tears, 
And the light of true courage is joyously flushing 

The unclouded brows of the brave Volunteers. 

[M . E. L. in the Southern Rose . 



January 1st, 1836. — The community of Charleston will 
long remember the sympathies stirred up by the intelligence 
which I have detailed in the early portion of our 4th chap- 
ter. -Si " # 

We felt that the cause of Florida w-as a. good cause, and 
that hers was no manly enemy waging equal battle, in the 
broad face of day, in behalf of violated rights; but an am- 
bushed foe, in mockery of the most solemn treaties, stri- 
king, like a cowardly assassin, from behind — stealing, like 
Tarquin, with feline stride to the couch ofLucretia* 1 should 
rather compare the Seminole to the ravenous beast of prey, 
prowling, at the dark hour of midnight, when no shepherd 
is out on the hill, and no whistle wanis the devoted lambs 
that the wolf is on his walk. We had learned that the red 
man was on the white, and we feared that infancy in its 
helplessness, old age in its decrepitude, man in his matured 
vigor, and woman in her bloom and beauty, might all alike 



CH. 6.] 



author's journal. 



107 



Sympathy of the people of Charleston, 

sink 'neath the ruthless knife, or keen edged tomahawk of the 
blood thirsty savage. 

Glancing an instant from the condition of our friends in 
Florida to our own, we beheld our city prospering and to 
prosper — that her anticipations were bright, her march on- 
ward, and above all, her spirit up! The Roman poet and 
epicurean philosopher (Lucretius) has said, 

"Suave, mari magno turbantibus sequora ventis, 
Eterra magnum akerius spectare laborem; 
Non quia vexari quemquam est jucunda voluptas, 
Sed quibus ipse inalis careas, quia cernere suave est." 

Yet we experienced no pleasure from the prospect of other's 
tihipicreck, because we stood safely on the shore, but rejoicing 
that we could succour, we rushed to the rescue. We felt 
that "now's the day and now's the hour," to sacrifice some- 
thing of self; to leave, for a while, the peaceful pursuits of 
commerce, and the profitable employ of time and capital; 
to give up the student's pen for the soldier's sword, and his 
book for a shield, and to exchange the hammer of the wor- 
thy mechanic, for the musket of the militia man. We had 
stood up manfully for our own rights; we desired to assume 
the loveliest attitude of power, when it is seen to stoop to 
the weak and unprotected; to bind tht? wounded, and raise 
the drooping head. Animated by these impulses, we re- 
solved- to hasten to the aid of Florida; what we could do, we 
would do, and do at once; not withholding our help in her 
hour of utmost need, and when all peril should be past, suf- 
focating her half recovered citizens with our tardy em- 
braces. 

Accordingly, the good people of Charleston were con- 
vened, in compliance with the invitation of the Hon. Ed- 
ward North, Intendant, who had given it at the request of 
many respectable citizens, and in accordance with the pop- 
ular will. At that meeting, Gen. Hayne, who should em- 
phatically be described by the proud appellative of the use- 
ful citizen, presided, and his eloquent and spirit-stirring 
appeals to all the best and holiest sentiments of our nature, 
with those of Messrs. I. E. Holmes, J. L. Petigru, and Al- 
fred Huger, met a ready response from the generous and 
warm-hearted auditory. 



103 



author's journal. 



[ce. 6, 



Committee appointed to receive Volunteers. 

On that occasion, the author of this little book, (hurried 
on by the same sympathies that subsequently led him to 
raise his feeble hand) there lifted his humble voice, in advo- 
cacy of the Floridians, (a small fact, more interesting to the 
author to relate, than for the reader to learn,) Mr. I- E. 
Holmes, ever prompt to do good or diminish distress, intro- 
duced a series of resolutions, and among them, that a com- 
mittee be appointed to receive and forward Volunteers to 
Florida. 

On the 1st of January. 1S36. the gazettes of our city aus- 
piciously began the New Year, by announcing the proceed- 
ings of the meeting, and the names of the committee above 
alluded to. They were Messrs. I. E. Holmes. Alexander 
Mazyck, Alfred Huger, Samuel Patterson. Charles Ed- 
mondston. J. L. Petigru. and R. Y. Hayne — names that, 
for talent and high character, are unsurpassed by the same 
number any where. 

I have been, and shall, for a little while, continue to be 
thus minute in detailing the feelings and actions of our own 
community, because I regard them as fair exponents of 
those of other places. And neither time or space permit 
me to introduce the no less enthusiastic emotions and gen- 
erous conduct of other portions of our own State, of Geor- 
gia, Alabama. Louisiana, and elsewhere. And as a genei ;•" 
remark, I would here state, that many of the observe 
I shall apply to our own troops, are intended to be equally 
applicable to the other gallant Volunteers, whom I regard 
as emanating from one family, all sons of the South. 

January 6th. — Our city papers of this date contain one of 
the earliest evidences cf that singular misinformation and 
want of knowledge, which, added to other acts, omitted or 
committed by the General Government or its agents, has 
caused the Florida campaign in 1S36, to be termed by our 
faithful sentinel on the watch-tower. Waddy Thompson, 
"the grave of the fame of four American Generals." 

The journals of this day state, that the committee above 
named were informed by Gen. Eustis. that the force under 
Gen. Clinch, and that of the mounted volunteers under Gen. 
Call, were fully adequate to subdue any force of Indians 
and negroes, that could possibly be raised in Florida, and 



csu 6.] 



author's journal. 



109 



Assistance sent from Charleston to St. Augustine. 

if necessary, to expel them from the territory. The com- 
mittee add. that requisitions having been made by the mili- 
tary authorities in Florida, upon the U. S. Officers in this 
harbor, the requisite supplies were immediately shipped, and 
that it is not probable, therefore, there will be any occasion 
either for volunteers, arms, or supplies, to be forwarded to 
Florida on the part of our citizens. 

A few days dispelled this pleasing illusion, (would that all 
errors of the campaign had been as early detected and re- 
paired!) 

January 12th.— On receipt of intelligence that a battle 
had been fought on the banks of the Amaxura, or Ouithla- 
coochee river, in which about 300 regulars were engaged, 
and 27 volunteers, under the command of Gen. Clinch, the 
committee were convinced that the time for action was come. 
Thev despatched a special messenger to Gen. Eustis, re- 
questing that a company of regulars should be forthwith 
forwarded, with the requisite arms and ammunition. Their 
request was promptly complied with, and Capt. Porter, of 
the artillery, ordered to hold himself in readiness, at an 
hour's warning. A letter was written to the authorities of 
Augustine, apprising them of the intention to send on in 
forty-eight hours, a company of U. S. soldiers, arms, muni- 
tions of war, and provisions. Accordingly, the steamer John 
Stoney was chartered, and by her was sent, under the or- 
ders of Gen. Eustis, a company of artillery, and a field 
piece. At the same time, the committee placed at the dis- 
posal of the authorities of Augustine, 1000 bushels corn, 87 
whole and 26 half barrels flour, 10 tierces rice, 30 barrels 
beef, and 20 pork. 

The committee state, that every assistance has been read- 
ily afforded them by Gen. Eustis, and desire thus to ex- 
press publicly their thanks for his active co-operation. 

The return of the Stoney brought a reply from the May- 
or (F. Weedon) and Aldermen (Robinson and Gould) of 
Augustine, to the forenamed communication of the 12th. 

In their letter of 20th January, they remark, "While we 
are thankful to be able to say your liberality has left us no- 
thing more to ask or desire in this way of gratuitous pecu- 
niary aid, there are other not less important aids you may 



110 



author's journal. 



[ch. 6, 



Public Meeting in Charleston, Jan. 21. 

render us. If a body of volunteers can be sent us to relieve 
our old men and invalids from the arduous duty of guarding 
the city, they would be most gratefully received." 

From Jacksonville, also, despatches were received, ear- 
nestly entreating every aid in our power. They declared 
that "starvation or murder stared them in the face." 

These communications, and this condition of affairs, indu- 
ced an immediate invitation to the citizens to convene. 

January 21sL — A public meeting was held at the City 
Hall, at which the Hon. Judge Colcock presided, and R. 
Yeadon, jun. Esq., the able and indefatigable Editor of the 
Charleston Courier, acted as Secretary. I. E. Holmes 
Esq. Chairman of the committee of citizens, appointed at the 
previous meeting, read a highly interesting report, which 
contains the following passage: "Whether assistance will 
be afforded by the General Government, remains to be seen. 
At present, confusion seems to prevail both in the War and 
Financial Department of the Government at Washington — 
a confusion which threatens utter ruin to the poor inhabi- 
tants of Florida." 

Gen. Hayne then addressed the meeting, and among other 
remarks, stated that "Gen. Eustis had promptly repaired 
to his post on learning the emergency, and had since zeal- 
ously co-operated with the committee. Gen. E. had re- 
ceived no official communication in relation to the affairs of 
Florida, but concluding from the late report of the Secretary 
of War, that there were fourteen companies, consisting in 
all of 700 troops, under the command of Gen. Clinch, for 
the protection of Florida, the measures for the relief of 
that Territory were shaped and regulated accordingly. It 
appeared, however, that the force under the actual com- 
mand of Gen. Clinch, fell far short of that number, and to 
this are to be attributed the disastrous results which have en- 
sued. Gen. Hayne then read a letter of the 10th inst. from 
Gen. Joseph Hernandez, the military commandant at St. 
Augustine, stating the competency of the troops agreed to 
be furnished by Gen. Eustis, in conjunction with the militia 
of the vicinity, to the defence of that part of the Territory; 
also a letter of the 14th inst. from Col. Warren, of the Flor- 



CH. 6.] AUTHOR^ JOURNAL. Ill 

Speeches of Generals Hayne and Hamilton. 

ida militia, at Jacksonville, making a strong appeal for pro- 
visions and other aid. 

Gen. Hayne stated in conclusion, that $4000 had already 
been expended by the committee of citizens, and that de- 
spatches had been forwarded to the Executive of this State, 
informing him of the whole course of proceeding on the 
subject. 

Gen. Hamilton, ever among the foremost in all noble en- 
terprises, next rose, and in an animated speech touchingly 
alluded to the calamitous condition of the people of Florida; 
stated the gratifying fact that the Banks of the city had that 
morning raised between 20 and $30,000, as a loan to Gov- 
ernment, for the succour of our fellow-citizens of that Terri- 
tory, now exposed to the conjoint horrors of starvation and 
savage warfare; and added, that if men were wanted, he 
knew that the 4th brigade, which he commanded, would do 
its duty. He also declared his full confidence that the chi- 
valry and patriotism of our city would be manifested in the 
efficient shape of numerous volunteers, ready to take the 
field against tfce savage foe, and arrest the tomahawk and 
scalping knife, making even defenceless women and children 
their victims, in their ferocious work of death and desola- 
tion. He concluded with offering the following, among 
other resolutions: 

Resolved, That a committee of seven persons be ap- 
pointed, for the purpose of conferring with the City Coun- 
cil, as to the best mode of organizing a system of immediate 
and efficient relief for our fellow-citizens of East Florida, 
until the resources of the General Government can be 
brought to their aid. 

Resolved, That the committee have full power to receive 
from the military authorities of the 4th brigade, such Vol- 
unteers as may tender their services for duty, for the defence 
of our fellow-citizens of East Florida. 

Resolved, That the citizens of Charleston will not stop to 
inquire on whom the awful responsibility rests, for not hav- 
ing foreseen, and taken the necessary measures of precau- 
tion, to have prevented the calamitous posture of affairs in 
East Florida. It is enough that our fellow-citizens are in 
urgent peril and extreme suffering, to invoke not alone our 



112 author's journal/ [ch. 6. 

Meeting of Volunteers, Jan, 24. 

deep sympathy, but our energetic exertions for their succor 
and relief. 

R. B. Smith, Esq. seconded the resolutions in an appro- 
priate and effective strain of remark, and they were then 
unanimously adopted by the meeting. * 

The Chairman appointed the following gentlemen to com- 
pose the Provisional Committee under the third resolution: 

Gen. Jas. Hamilton, Hon. Thomas Bennett, James Le- 
gare, H. W. Conner, Ker Boyce, H. A. Desaussure, R. B. 
Smith. 

^ As if to mark the peculiar interest we felt for Florida, the 
above committee was selected from among the first and 
best of our citizens. 

January 24th. — A call was made for a meeting, this 
evening, of all who had volunteered, or were disposed to 
volunteer, for the defence of our fellow-citizens in Augus- 
tine, and it was responded to in a manner that became 
Charlestonians. 

The meeting was opened by calling Gen. Hayne to 
the Chair, and after the object of assembling was sta- 
ted, lists of volunteers, already organized, were handed in, 
amply sufficient to meet the end desired, which was de- 
clared to be the defence of St. Augustine. Thereupon it 
was announced, that others present disposed to engage in 
the enterprize, could not be received, the purpose of the 
meeting having been accomplished. 

In the course of the evening, while the business 
was progressing, they were most unexpectedly join- 
ed by a gallant corps from Hamburg, under the com- 
mand of Capt. Cunningham. They marched into the 
room, conducted by our patriotic and warm-hearted fellow- 
citizen, John L. Wilson, Esq., who, in an eloquent and ani- 
mating address, announced them as Carolina volunteers, and 
tendered their services, which were accepted with joyous 
acclamations. Among this fine band of brothers, was a youth 
of about fourteen years of age, who could not be restrained 
by the most earnest entreaties, from joining in the expedi- 
tion. [I do not forget thee, "little John," and you must re- 
member him who dubbed thee Ball o'fire and Marston Hall.] 



CH. 6.] 



author's journal. 



113 



More volunteers offer than can be accepted. 

Capt. R. K. Payne tenders the services of a company 
from the Neck, to proceed with us to Augustine, and they 
are at first accepted, but subsequently have to be declined, 
as the numbers already received are more than required. 

Our gallant and generous fellow-citizen. Capt. John Ma- 
grath, "(with the liberality and kindness towards the un- 
fortunate or distressed, which characterizes all his conduct) 
voluntarily offered the use of his steam-boat, the Augusta, 
to the 16th and 17th regiments, should they furnish the re- 
quisite number of volunteers, to convey them to St. Augus- 
tine free of expense, and will himself accompany them, and 
bring back to Charleston, without charge, any ladies and 
their little ones that might be disposed to leave that place. 

Jan. 25^. -The Sumter Guards and Irish Volunteers have 
made an offer of their services to-day. and are anxious to take 
part in the enterprise, but as our complement is made up ?| 
they cannot be accepted; which I greatly regret, on their 
account, not on mine, for I thiak with Henry V. before the 
battle of Agincourt, on the Earl of Westmoreland's wish- 
ing more men — 

"If we are marked to die, we are enow 
To do our country loss; and if to live, 
The fewer mm, the greater share of honor." 

There are repeated efforts of individuals to be incorpora- 
ed, as such, with some of the companies that are going to 
Augustine. Hundreds can be enrolled if found necessary. 
€ts a disposition is evinced by many to volunteer, which is 
only repressed by the announcement, that the requisite num- 
ber has been obtained. 

An order, dated this day, is issued by Gen. Eustis, re- 
quiring "the patriotic volunteers, who have so gallantly of- 
fered themselves for the protection of their fellow-citizens 
in St. Augustine, to embark the following day on board the 
steam boats Dolphin and Santee." 

January 21th. — The tempestuous weather prevented the 
ammunition and supplies from being shipped yesterday, and 
therefore we will not depart till this afternoon. Capt. Fin- 
ley's company constitutes a corps of Light Artillery; Capt, 
10* 



114 



author's journal. 



[ch. 6. 



Departure of the VoluDteers from Charleston. 

Ravenel's, and Capt. Cunningham's, are to act as Riflemen, 
and Capt. Timrod's as Infantry. 

On board the Dolphin. — It must not however be fancied, 
that we left Terra Firma so quickly, or that all the fore- 
going occurred in as "quick time" as it has taken me to 
record it. The foregoing sketch no more reflects the rea- 
lity, than a cold and stilly skeleton can represent the warm 
Jiesh and circulating blood of the breathing man. The 
socket is here, yet the eye is banished from its throne of 
light! But the citizens of Augustine are anxiously await- 
ing our arrival, and it would be cruel to detain the troops, 
only in order to describe them, and. the parting scene. 
Besides, the details would little interest any but our own citi- 
zens; and on their minds, we flatter ourselves it yet rests, and 

"Lingering, haunts the greenest spot, 
On memory's waste." 

1 therefore hasten over the busy hum of preparation — the 
inspection at the City Hall, where we were mustered into 
service — the march to the Citadel, whence the soldiers were 
supplied with arms — the valedictory nod of acquaintances — 
the hurried departure from friends — the fond farewell of 
relatives — the rapid tho' warm grasp of a brother's hand — 
the tender yet clasped embrace and sad kiss of a sister — 
the kiss, sweeter because stolen, from the coy maiden, who 
in soul half consents to all — but our departure, which, were 
she frank, she would confess, is the only act of ours that 
gives her pain. (Vain youth!) 

Nor while life's crimson current circles at our hearts, 
can we forget the fearful forebodings of an anxious mother, 
as again, again, and oft again, she clings to a son on whom 
she may be gazing, as she dreads to think, for the last time 
■ — nor the manly encouraging adieu of a father, within whose 
secret bosom the waters of bitterness swell the more, for 
the stern effort at suppression — the advice, the prayer, the 
benediction of both! Oh, surely there is "no sanctity of 
touch like that wherewith a parent blesses the bent head of 
a duteous and affectionate child." 

And think you that all this while the volunteer was soulless, 
senseless, or was he less a man, because momentarily melt- 
ed into girlish grief — not for himself, or any prospect of per- 



CH. 6.] 



-author's journal. 



115 



Author's reflections. 

sonal peril, but for the pangs his absence would bring to 
others, 

"Oh do not deem him weak. 

For dauntless was the soldier's heart, 

Tho' tears were on his cheek." 

He never can forget. however slightly he here alludes to that 
parting hour, the sword girded, the musket shouldered, the 
knapsack slung — the march thro' the streets — the attendant 
crowd of anxious friends that pressed around — the hand 
waved from the thronged window, the hat touched from the 
filled piazza,and even the very judges of the land, the grave* 
minister at the sacred altar of justice, wafting us an adieu 
with their white kerchiefs that they give out to the stream- 
ing air. 

But above all, can there ever come a time when the Vo- 
lunteers shall cease to remember the last look of the beau- 
teous maiden, her once lustrous eyes now shaded in dim 
suffusion — the tear tremulous on the lid, like stars reflected 
in a glassy lake, or betraying by its fast and frequent drop, 
a love her lip hath ne'er confessed, as she leaned over the 
balcony, or peered through the casement, arch peeper, at 
the favorite brother, the pet cousin, or it may be, one who 
stood in the yet more delicate relation of the betrothed of 
her affections. 

And how looked the Volunteers, when they, and all 
these things, were passing? There were "eyes right," "eyes 
left," any where but "front," for behind them they were 
leaving all they held dearest. And how felt they the while? 
We had been a gay and giddy set (some of us at least) 
vet. at that solemn moment, we were subdued to sadness. 
But my feeble pen would wrong their powerful emotions. 

My description must not linger on the sh ore. and imi- 
tate the delay wherewith we proceeded "on board ship." 
The German Fusileers and Hamburg Volunteers have al- 
ready sailed in the Santee. With the accustomed privi- 
lege of an author, my little pen lifts up the Washington Vo- 
lunteers and Washington Light Infantry, and sets them 
down on the deck of the Dolphin, alternately the saddest 



^Specially grave, when the arbiters of life and death, 



118 



author's journal* 



[ch. 6. 



Author tries to be funny. 

and merriest of men. For nature (that flings the smile and 
tear in quick succession on the youthful front) never for 
long permits her laws to be violated, but by a recurrence of 
gay emotions, vindicates her outraged decree — that youth 
should be the season of liveliness. 

On board the Dolphin, January 28th, early mom* — Wizz, 
wizz, goes the steam, and off go we. 

"Off, off, said the soldier, 

And away flew the light* barque." 

When Madame Geoffrin was told of St. Bartholomew's 
walking some ten or twelve steps with his head in his hands, 
she replied, "It is only the first step that counts," but it 
was not so with us, our first step on the Dolphin which bore 
us from home, was into privations which ended only with 
our last step out of the vessels that restored us to Charles- 
ton. To realize this, you are to remember that we were, 
in part, a set of genteelf young fellows about the town, who 
had been raised (as they say of horses in some States, and 
of men in others) most daintily by our dear mamas — Pel- 
hams who had wielded nothing heavier than a cane or a 
cologne bottle, a riding whip or a curling iron — Bloods, 
who bought linen cambric handkerchiefs and ribbed silk 
socks, only by the lightness of the former, and the weight 
of the latter — -Chemists, who could extract liquids from so- 
lids, (a whole bottle of champaigne from three hard dollars) 
— Philosophers, who had the best possible theories about 
all things in the world, and a few other things beside's — Po- 
liticians, who prated of the constitution of the United States 
ere our own were matured — Moralists, who fancied that 
they, in their own persons, realised and illustrated the doc- 
trine of the perfectibility of man — Philanthropists, too bu- 
sily engaged in adjusting plans for the government of the 
universe, to, selfishly, think of laying down any for their 
own self-government — delicate souls, who could not get 
hot, without catching cold. 



*One must be fond of quoting, to call a steam-boat thus. 
tWhat a horrid, wragenteel phrase this is! 



CH. 6.] 



author's journal. 



117 



Quotes Buonaparte and a celebrated Senator. 

Being such, and so constituted, you will readily conceive 
that our first step was from comfort into discomfort — out of 
pleasures, (not of memory, like Rogers', or hope, like Camp- 
bell's, or imagination like Akenside's) into privations. But 
to be serious for a minute, and to do justice to my brother 
volunteers, [and to myself too, I suppose] we were men, 
and manly men. Soldiers we had assumed to be. and sol- 
diers we mean to prove ourselves. But sailors [Tars! just 
"think of that. Master Brook," a title telling a whole vocation!] 
we did not purport, nor prove to be. Cooks we had never 
been, and thought it 

"Strange there should a difference be, 
'Twixt" Callipash and Callipee, 

but cooks we became for lack of lacqueys, and minced our 
wnspiced meat most gingerly, and drank rye coffee without 
wry faces. 

Buonaparte said there was but one step from the sub. 
lime to the ridiculous — but from the Dolphin's deck [where 
sea and sky presented in their boundlessness, a source of 
the sublime] to her cabin [where, in the groans of the sick, 
might be heard an element of the ridiculous] there were 
a dozen steps. Preferring to freeze above, rather than suf* 
focate below,* we hardly slept on the softest boards aboard. 

Kind reader! (for you must be kind, else would you ne- 
ver have bought this book; and borrow it I'm quite sure you 
did not, for that's a practice decidedly ungentlemanly; and 
I think the word borrower might be better spelt with its four 
letters, BORE, than with all eight. Indeed, so strongly, 
though suddenly, convinced am I of the impropriety of bor- 
rowing, that I intend subscribing to ail Reviews, Magazines, 
and Newspapers, though not immediately, Messrs. Editors, 
lest you might fancy I had a view to a favorable critique!) 
Well, as I was saying, kind reader, I fear you fancy all 
this is sad stuff, mere silly bub, fit only for whipping — but 
wait awhile, and you'll perceive I grow quite solid and sci- 
entific, and dull and prosing, exemplum generis; my remarks 
on soil, climate, &c. You must not expect learning in the 



*For we had not "four alternatives," as a justly celebrated Senator said 
we had, as to the Tariff. 



118 



author's journal. 



[ch. 6. 



The Author makes some Reflections on the Bar. 

juvenility of a book, any more than during the youth of its 
author. I become vastly erudite anon, and ,my very next 
sentence shall evince it. 

We lay in strata, the primitive formation being a deposit 
of fat on which we leaned. [Now I consider those italici- 
zed terms unequivocal evidence of scholarship, for they 
smack of the geologist. Yet I shall not stop here, but 
soar from geology, which is "of the earth— earthy," even 
up to Astronomy, which should not 

" leave the skies, 

To read its lore in ladies' eyes."] 

As I have said, we lay in layers, to keep out the cold air, 
and render our feelings warm towards each other and our- 
selves — a coil of rope our best bolster, and a cable chain 
(so hard, that I hope "the last links are broken") our down- 
iest pillow. But thanks to the benevolent ordinations of Pro- 
vidence, that philosophy comes early, which teaches us to 
make a virtue of necessity, by shewing us the necessity of 
the virtue, patience. So we laughed bitterly at bitter things, 
which is no crying sin, we opine. 

Having now reached the Bar, I may be allowed one of 
my professional phrases, and confess that, with malice afore- 
thought, we tortured our fancies to eke out supposititious 
feasts and ideal viands, racking our brains for want of ar- 
rack, and becoming as merry as punch, punched each other 
with solids for want of liquid punch, for some had wit at their 
finger's ends, who had none on their tongues — a sort of 
manual exercise in which soldiers soon grow perfect. We 
were all busy, idling — for, as Cowper says, 

"How various his employ, 
Whom the world calls idle." 

Some were trimming garments, while others were trimming 
ship. On one side, leaned a youth agitated by the waves — > 
opposite him reclined another, moved by the affections; 
there was no affectation in this, though both were affected, 
sea-sickness and home-sickness ruling with alternate sway* 
Nor were there wanting 

"Quips and cranks and wanton wiles, 
Nods and becks and wreathed smiles s " 



ch. 6.] 



author's journal. 



119 



Goes to sleep, and borrows ideas from a friend. 

the laugh, the jest, and paper bullet of the brain. It was 
then and there was formed that Debating Club, (of which I 
had the honor of being Vice President) that had the temer- 
ity to undertake the elaborate discussion of that knotty point 
in political science — Whether this country was so free, that 
a man might displease when he pleased; and if he did not 
do as he pleased, had the people a constitutional right to 
force him to do as he pleased? 

Gentle reader, do not let us fall out by the way, because 
I seem to detain you too long, or go out of our course, for 
all the while the Dolphin is steadily pursuing her course, 
and I have delayed her so little, that we are now nearing 
Savannah. For, amid these bitter jests and pleasant priva- 
tions, we pursue our onward way, our motto being "en- 
avant." And as 

"Time and the hour 

Run through the roughest day," 

We, at length, find ourselves in view of Tybee Light. 

Off Cockspur Island. — My friend and brother volunteer, 
M — describes the entrance to the harbor of Savannah as very 
imposing. [I hope he does not impose on me, for I was too dead 
with sleep to be alive to its beauties.] He tells me, that a full 
moon sheds its broad and silvery light upon the dark blue sea* 
(all which I willingly believe, and deem highly probable, for 
I have ever noticed that most moons, in written descriptions, 
are •'full," and their light "broad" and "silvery." And if 
I remember my readings aright, the "sea" is generally 
"dark blue," when read of.) The light houses were also 
full in view at the same time: (in my friend's view, not mine, 
'or I continued asleep, and my eyes were too tightly closed 

0 give loose to aught but dreams:) their brilliant light is tru- 
y calculated to inspire hope in the most forlorn condition of 
the shipwrecked mariner. 

So pleasingly, playfully, joyously danced the waves, that 

1 thought of all that Byron ever said of the ocean, and felt dis- 
p^ ied to lay my head upon its bosom. (It is still my friend 
that speaks, as must be obvious to all who will be at the 
pains to remember, that I was dozing, not even dreaming of 
Byron, but of Bacon and hard bread, and not feeling "dis- 



120 AUTHOR'S JOURNAL. [ C H, 6. 

Remarks on the beauties of nature. 

posed to lay my head" on any damper "bosom" than where 
it was — on the dew and sea-sprent deck.) 

From these comments, you think me very unsusceptible 
to the beauties of nature, my romantic reader, and so vou'd 
own, were you candid — but don't anticipate. I have, or 
rather, I am getting up. a moon for you — and suck a Luna, 
a Florida sultana of night — a real Indian-Queen Moon, vet 
not a savage Moon — oh no! a very sweet one — but as I've 
just said, let's not anticipate. At present, you must excuse 
me; I can't stop the Dolphin's passage, nor expect Capt. 
King, though a very clever gentleman, to let oilier steam, 
merely that I may let off mine on poetic rhapsodies of the 
waters, now beautifully, intensely blue, then darkly, deep- 
ly green, or loveliest of all, roseate with the last flushings of 
departing day. You know the lines about "parting day dies 
like the dolphin," (the fish, not the boat) at any rate I won't 
repeat them, and for two reasons; 1st. I'm disposed to com- 
pliment you by taking it for granted that you do know them; 
and 2dly, I can't recollect them myself, they being "in my 
memory, but not in my recollection," as once said that elo- 
quent and exact Philologist, John Randolph of Roanoke. 
Besides the glorious and gorgeous sunsets of Southern 
climes are too familiar to need delineating, (or if not. you 
may see them in Mrs. Radcliffe's romances; better and 
brighter than I can do them up.) For just the contrary 
reason, I arrest not the steam boat's progress, to prate of 
daylight on the waters wide: of infant sunbeams struggling 
into life, and Aurora modestly yet beauteously blushing from 
the embrace of night, in whose arms she had been reclining, 
and on whose cheek reposing, 

k4 Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear." 

For, as few of my readers have ever beheld that rarest of 
of city sights, a rising sun. so few would enter into my detail 
of ail the purple glories that it flings athwart the fair face of 
nature. 

Savannahfi P.M. — As I do desire to detail somethings not 
beheld by untraveled eyes, but which "I've seen and sure 
I ought to know," I cannot afford space to do justice to what is 
so intimately and extensively known as the city of Savannah, 



CH. 6.] 



author's jottrnal. 



121 



Waking thoughts. 

at which we have now arrived) and the warm-hearted hospital- 
lity of its enlightened and courteous inhabitants. Hurriedly 
lifting the volunteers over its blufF.(so competent to satisfy the 
most ardent admirer of sand.) and lightly bounding over 
the massy monument, beautiful in its perfect proportions 
and severely* chaste simplicity, and the noble blocks of tall 
brick edifices — my magic plume lets down the volunteers, 
at one moment, ?.! the City Hotel, to partake the unpreme- 
ditated, but frank and cordial civilities of the citizens: and 
the next, parting in the Dolphin for Augustine with mutual 
regrets — they that our short stay prevented their extending, 
and we that the same cause debarred our receiving, further 
attentions. For we know how admirably and heartily the 
Georgians do these things. But I will not praise them; for 
when I speak of the South, I feel that the allusion is to those, 
one of whom I am. 

On board the Dolphin, January 29th and 30th We 

had to leave Savannah, pleasant place though it be, 
so I may as well do so by saying that we started thence 
at early morn on one day, and about the same time the 
next, the Augustine light house appeared in view. 

But mercy on me! ar'n't we getting over a whole twentv- 
four hours too rapidly. What, no description here either? 
asks the inquisitive reader. Were you asleep then too? 
No — this time I was not "caught napping," but enjoying 
'•the sober certainty of waking bliss," and so, here goes to 
fill up the time. As this day was marked by no peculiari- 
ties, 'twould be easier to say what we had not, and did not 
than what we had or did. As for example, we had not, 
like Othello, "most disastrous chances," or "moving acci- 
dents by flood," except that we were moved off our feet by 
the heaving of the boat as it neared the bar. 

As another quotation may help to fill out "the journey of 
a day," I acid that we went, as Byron's Corsair did before us, 

1: 0"er the glad wafers of the dark blue sea, 

Our thoughts as boundless and our souls as free, ? ' 



*The publishers may knockout a few epithets hereabouts, if they want 
■room, for there are plenty and to spare, tho' all are deserved, 
11 



122 



author's journal. 



[ch. 6, 



Opinions of the Trade as to what will tale. 

While one was staking his tender honor to a tough yarn, 
another was steaking his tough beef, but made no tender of 
it. (This line is hardly tender enough to be swallowed by 
the reader.) Here, a very young soldier was curling his 
unrazourable moustache, and there an old campaigner 
was picking his dinnerless teeth. On every side the milk 
of human kindness was poured out, and "in our flowing 
cups remembered" the more, for that on no side was there 
any other milk to be poured in. 

From the cabin might be heard the merry peal of some 
happy, because accepted, suitor, singing 

"Come o'er the sea 
Maiden with me," 

and on the deck, the plaintive tones of some pale dreamer. 

lowly murmuring — 

"Will you, Ellen, when you hear, 
Of your lover on his bier, 
To his mem'ry shed a tear- 
Bonnie lassie O!" 

I might add, as we are approaching the coast of Florida, 
that 'tis very handsome, a la distance, just to furnish occa- 
sion for citing the entire passage of Campbell, commencing 

" ,r Tis distance lends enchantment to the view, 
And clothes, &c. with its azure hue." 

But Messrs. B. & H. will exclaim that these scraps of poe- 
try will never do, that they're not the thing, their day is 
past, and that they'll not take with the public. This last ar- 
gument is conclusive: and for judgment of books, give me 
the intelligent gentlemen of the Trade, all the world before. 
Deferring therefore to my worthy, good publishers.the steam 
boat and I rapidly cross the Bar, rough enough to be dan- 
gerous, and two hours after, we land in Augustine; admir- 
ing, as we entered the harbor, the fine fort at the northern 
extremity of the city, which I may describe hereafter, (or 
not at all) for we are so anxious to forward march, that we 
can't stop at the fort, and lots of folks are awaiting us at 
the wharf. (I say the wharf, for there is but one in the 
place.) 

Augustine, January 30th. — Yes! here we are, and re- 



CH. 6.] 



author's journal. 



123 



Arrival at St. Augustine. 

ceived with the most cheering welcome; men, women and 
children, all crowd to see us; doors are thrown open, and 
sashes up. We read our welcome "in a people's eyes;" 
some of which eyes are sparkling with joy and gratitude; 
from the same causes, others shine yet lovelier with tears, 
as the sun beam is more beautiful when seen through the 
rain drop. Our arrival creates a sense of security in the 
minds of the inhabitants, to which they had long been 
strangers, and brings "rest to their feet, and slumber to their 
lids."° The rose that has been exiled from the maiden's 
cheeks, again divides its empire with the lily that had usurp- 
ed sole sway o'er the throne of beauty, and York and Lan- 
caster may be seen to reign together — for I may truly say 
of some of the ladies of Augustine, that 

"Of nature's gifts they may with lilies boast, 
And with the half blown rose:" 

although on the face of others, Phoebus has printed his em- 
browning kiss. The aged, too, yield us a tribute of grati- 
tude, and the pious parent who kneels in thanksgiving to 
God, invokes a blessing on the head of the South-Carolina 
Volunteers. 

In pursuance of orders from Gen. Eustis at head quar- 
ters, we report to Capt. Porter, the officer commanding the 
troops at this station on our arrival, and march to St. Fran- 
cis' Barracks, whence we (that is, the Washington Volun- 
teers and Washington Light Infantry) remove to Allen's. 
A detail is made to-night from our companies, to defend 
two posts above a mile distant; one beyond the city gates 
at the North, and another at the bridge westwardly; the for- 
mer with'20 men, and the latter with ten and a field piece. 

The German Fusiliers and Hamburg Volunteers, arrived 
yesterday, are stationed at the Government Hcu.se, and 
were highly gratified in witnessing the confidence inspired 
by their coming on. They were disappointed in not being 
attacked last night, and regret our arrival only so far as it 
has somewhat diminished that prospect. For the Indian 
scouts prowl near the city, and will keep their body advised 
of the additional force we bring. Although the German 
Fusiliers and Hamburg Volunteers are very excellent gen- 



124 



AUTHOR ' S JOURNAL. 



[ch. 6. 



First night at St. Augustine. 

tlemen, and have every kindly feeling towards the Wash- 
ington Volunteers and Washington Light Infantry, yet they 
would have preferred facing all the danger of an attack 
from the Seminoles, for the sake of reaping all the glory of 
conquest, which, in the event of battle now, they most di- 
vide with us. They are brave soldiers, officered by very 
competent commanders, and will never tarn their backs on 
friend or foe. But for my own part, when I regard this 
place, with its fort and barracks, its stone walls and narrow 
streets, where every corner may prove a Thermopylse; 
and when I contemplate the Indian habit, to surprise small', 
and avoid large bodies, I cannot either hope, or fear they 
will assail any party, while actually in the heart of the city, 
although spies and plunderers may often hover o'er us and 
around, and attack all who wander in the suburbs. But I 
have just arrived, and am a fallible being, therefore to the 
arbitrament of time I leave the sequel. 

An express, sent by Capt. Porter to Gen. Clinch, has 
arrived, and reports that he was fired upon across the river. 
Indian tracks are seen near St. Augustine, and, on dit, their 
head quarters are between us and Picolata, which is eight- 
een miles distant from this place. This report cannot be 
true of the main body of the Indians. Gen. Clinch at the 
Ouithlacoochee has impeded their descent. Powell's plan, 
doubtless, was to cut off Major Dade's command, in all 110, 
(in which he succeeded but too fatally,) and then to 
attack and defeat Gen. Clinch, in which effort he has been 
foiled by that gallant General. Powell therefore cannot 
advance North without placing himself between two fires — 
Clinch at the South, and our troops here. His effort, I 
fancy, will be to cut off supplies, and prevent a junction. 
A meeting of the citizens of St. Augustine has just been 
held at Trinity Church, to express their thanks to Georgia 
and South-Carolina, for the aid extended to Florida. Tho- 
mas Douglas, Esq. (the much and deservedly esteemed 
District Attorney) was called to the chair, and Major B. A. 
Putnam and Capt. K. B. Gibbs appointed Secretaries. The 
object of the meeting having been stated by the Chairman, 
he appointed Dr. A. Anderson, Dr. S. S. Peck and Major 
B. A. Putnam, a Committee to prepare and present a suita* 



CH. 6.] 



author's journal. 



125 



Resolutions of the citizens of Augustine and Jacksonville. 

ble Address and Resolutions, which they did in a very 
warm and eloquent manner,and which were adopted nem con. 

January 31st. — The ladies, too, (God bless 'em) had a 
special meeting, and passed sundry resolutions complimen- 
tary to the Volunteers, and tendering their services. This 
evening responsive meetings were held by the several com- 
panies. 

Not only by words, but by acts, have both sexes 
in Augustine evinced their high appreciation of the mo- 
tives which have called us hither. Committees of the 
fair convened and toiled in our behalf, and in the language 
of one of the many mottos inscribed on a portion of the 
comforts they furnished us, "the soldier's bed" was "quick- 
ly made;" what tho' they be of straw? do not "straws shew 
which way the wind blows." Do we not perceive that a 
favorable current sets strongly towards our quarters? 

About this time, resolutions equally eloquent and enthu- 
siastic were adopted by a meeting of the citizens of Jack- 
sonville, returning thanks to the citizens of Savannah, Au- 
gusta, Darien and Charleston, generally, and to Generals 
Hayne and Hamilton.* 

February 1st, — We go on quietly with our camp duties, 
without interruption from the Indians. A report reached 
the city to-day, that Powell has sent word that he will 
breakfast at Picolata, and dine in Augustine. 

Lieut. Dancy, Quarter Master to the United States forces 
under General Clinch, is on his way from the Bay of Tam- 
pa to Fort King, with provisions, accompanied by an escort 
of about 100 mounted militia. Great apprehensions are 
entertained for their safety, as it is believed the Indians under 
Powell intend to surprise and massacre them on the way.f 

On dit, that Powell wrote a letter to General Clinch a 



*We regret that the limits of this little book do not permit us to detail 
these, and the like proceedings in other places, nor to describe them 
and the Georgia Volunteers stationed there, while we were at Augustine. 

tit affords me great pleasure to state, that either the belief was mistaken, 
or the intent foiled; as Lieut. D. is still left to aid and adorn the regular ser- 
vice by talent and valor. 

11* 



126 



author's journal. 



[ch. 6. 



Routine of duty. 

few days since, stating that if the General would only give 
him a few days for defence, he would be prepared to carry 
on a five year's war. The following is said to be an ex- 
tract from it. "You have guns, and so have we-— you 
have powder and lead, and so have we-— your men will 
fight, and so will ours, till the last drop of the Seminole's 
blood has moistened the dust of his hunting ground."* 

Much incertitude prevails as to the force and position of 
of the Indians. By reason of these and other circumstan- 
ces, previously detailed, the greatest vigilance and the 
strictest discipline are enforced. Constant and severe are 
our duties, and none are allowed to leave the barracks 
without permission from the officer of the day; and then 
our routine is such, that absences are necessarily very brief. 
For instance, reveille is sounded at day dawn, when every 
soldier is obliged to turn out and answer to roll call. He 
is then dismissed for a half hour, at the expiration of which, 
the sheep skin calls to drill — that occupies till near break- 
fast, for which the drum is beat between 8 and 9. "At 11, 
drill again for an hour or more. At 2, peas upon a tren- 
cher being played, hey, for dinner: at 4, drill encore: at 5, 
dress parade. At half-past 8, the retreat is struck up for 
supper, extinguishing lights, silence, and sleep — when ther- 
eat nothing, have no candles to put out, and make a prodi- 
gious racket, never closing mouth or eyes. Going to bed, 
with them only means tumbling on the floor, and wrapping 
themselves up in reflection and a blanket. 

The guard duty is exceedingly irksome and perilous: 
each volunteer is detailed every alternate night, and during 
the evening, when not on duty, it oft occurs that the alarm 
is given, and he has to relinquish the bed I've just described, 
repair to his post, and remain under arms in momentary 
expectation of the foe, for hours, and oft till reveille. f 

Subsequent events during the three month's campaign, 



*The style is the same as that of Powell's terse but resolute talk. Chan- 
3d, page 62. , p 

tThis may seem like exaggeration to those who were not of us and with 
us, but it will be readily responded to by every brother in arms, then there 
if he recall to memory the relief of heart he felt when, at reveille, he be- 
held his fellow-soldiers return from the pickets unscathed. 



CH. 6.] 



author's journal. 



127 



Perils of the Volunteers. 

confirmed the belief, that in the thirty days just prior to the 
army's advancing south, the Indians were ever and anon 
prowling about our picquets, and were prevented from 
nearer advances towards the city gates, by the unceasing 
vigilance of the volunteers, who had come to Augustine's 
defence. 

This strict police cannot now be maintained by the Florida 
militia, for few are left in the town, and of that few some are 
disabled, or dying of wounds, and the remainder are ex- 
hausted by the severity of previous and oft renewed vigils. 

The volunteers who guard the post beyond the city gates, 
and that at the bridge, never leave the barracks unattended 
by fears and hopes for their safety. For it is regarded as 
a forlorn hope, (les enfans perdus, as the French phrase it) 
predestined to certain annihilation in the event of a night at- 
tack by the Indians. Such ?re the positions and duties of 
these guards, that they can do but little more than fire, not 
in their own defence, but to alarm the city. They go out 
under these impressions, and go out willingly, for they are 
well content to die, if their deaths may save the lives of 
women and children, . 

February 2d. — We have a hard time of it, and miserable 
rations, shamefully and scantily doled out. The only thing 
good about our provisions is, that they are distributed by the 
merry and amiable Assistant Quarter Master, John E. Dunn, 
who toiled most ardently and incessantly to promote our 
comfort and content. Had his powers equalled his will, his 
kind and generous heart would have converted our slops 
into potable coffee, and our flinty biscuits into bread capa- 
ble of being manducated. Large lots of volunteers are 
crowded into small rooms, and the floors on which we lay, 
are of what is known by the approriate name of hard pine. 
Thus have we hard boarding and hard lodging. 

February Ath. — The ladies, angels as they are, have made 
up and sent matrasses to the volunteers, and bunks are 
framed to fit them, by our brother soldiers, Messrs. John 
Smith and Edward Axson, and a few other kind and clever 
souls like them, whose names not being now recollected* 



128 



author's journal. 



[ch. 6. 



The Sunday Morning's Herald, aud Volunteer's Gazette. 

they have thus lost their chance for immortality, by not be- 
ing handed down to future times on the records of this jour- 
nal. Most of us who can, are hiring rooms and furnishing 
food for ourselves, at our own expense, and decline a con- 
sumption of the U. S. accommodations, as they are inappro- 
priately called. In verity, the fact of ours being a surplus 
revenue government, would not be found out by its fruits 
here. To "drive dull care away," Dr. Mackey and I are 
getting up-a newspaper, somewhat smaller than Col. Webb's 
or "the Sunday Morning News." It will be printed by some 
of the Washington Volunteers. 



This little newspaper was adapted to the meridian of the 
garrison only, but as it got out of that atmosphere for 
winch alone it was intended, grew into deservedly great de- 
mand, and a copy is difficult to procure, the edition having 
been eagerly bought up, and being now out of print — w T e 
furnish the following extracts. Thus while we afford a 
"brief and abstract chronicle of the times," we serve the 
cause of science and literature, by rescuing from oblivion 
this gigantic gazette, which measures at least six inches 
long, by five bioad. 

"The Sunday Morning's Herald, and Volunteer's Gazette* 
Vol. 1. No. 1. Appetiiibus sed non victu parati. — [Garri- 
son Motto.] Mackey & Cohen, Editors. J. D. Miller & 
Co. Printers. St. Augustine, Feb. 6, 1836. 

"Prospectus of a weekly paper to be published in this Gar- 
rison, and to be entitled "The Sunday Morning's Herald 
and Volunteer's Gazette. A. G. Mackey & M. M. Co- 
hen, Editors. 

"We beg leave to offer (not to the Public, but to the Pri- 
vates of this Garrison) a paper, which as it will be published 
every Tuesday and Saturday-evening, may not in-appropri- 
ately be called "The Sunday Morning's Herald and Vol- 
unteer's Gazette." As regards the immense expense and 
responsibility of the Editors, in getting up tins paper, none 
can have any idea, except those who are engaged in the 
publication; in evidence of which, we would state, that the 



CH. 6.] 



author's journal. 



129 



Extract from the Author's Sunday Morning's Herald. 

Ink has been stolen, the Paper borrowed, and the pens pur- 
chased upon a credit, which will never be. repaid. We 
make no promises, because we intend to keep none — and 
we ask for none, because we know none will be fulfilled. 
With respect to our principles, we would with great respect 
say that it is not our interest to be explicit, and it will hardly 
interest any to know more than that the principals of this 
work will endeavor to make it one of interest. 

OiT'For further particulars apply to the General, as in 
general we have no disposition to be more particular. 

Terms — Half a bit per number; payable before delivery, 
by which means we shall be delivered from all danger of 
bad debts. 

For sale, in Garrison — 63 good appetites, sold for no 
fault, but because they are of no further use to their owners. 

Wanted, in Garrison, coarse canvass to drink coffee 
through. 

Attention Volunteers! — Volunteers will hereafter appear 
on parade in drill pantaloons. 

Bill Puzzle Club. — At a meeting held January 29, on 
board the steamer Dolphin, the following gentlemen were 
unanimously elected officers for the ensuing campaign: 

A. G. Mackey, President; M. M. Cohen, Vice President; 
J. D. Miller, Secretary; J. G. Landon, Treasurer. 

A stated meeting of this Club will be held on Tuesday 
Evening next, at the Room of Mess No. 8, when the fol- 
lowing question will be proposed for debate: 

"Is it constitutional to compel a man to volunteer!" 

By order. J. D. Miller, Secretary. 

Bill of Mortality. — List of deaths, diseases and disasters 
in Garrison, for the week ending, Feb. 6th. 

Starved to death, 10; surfeit from too much food, 0; 
Lock Jaw from picking teeth with a bayonet, 5; Dropsy — 
down the well, 1; Drowned by the sound of the drum, voi- 
ces, 3; Consumption of beans, 5; Died in the Greece-mn 

war of fat pork, 7; Sick- of Parade, 63; choked by 

coffee grounds, 8; total 105. Being 39 more than ever 
were in Garrison, 



130 



author's journal. 



[ch. 6. 



Continuation of Extracts from the Author's Newspaper. 

Hard Fare. — One of the Volunteers is reported to have 
dislocated his jaw in cracking a U. S. biscuit. 

One of the Editors of this paper tenders his professional 
services to any volunteer who may have gorged himself by 
a surfeit upon salt pork and beans. 

He makes drawings of landscapes and teeth. 

The other Editor offers professionally to defend any 
member of the corps who may be charged with a want of 
app etite. 

He will alse undertake to make dravghts of marriage set- 
tlements and small leer. 

The thanks of the Editors of this paper are returned to 
Mr. Gould, our brother Editor of the "Florida Herald," 
who allowed us to use his press as our own, and so proved 
quite a Gold mine to us! 

CO" Wanted by the Editors — information on various sub- 
jects. 

On Bit. — It is said that the Picquet Guard having last 
night negligently left their flints at home, were supplied 
with a substitute in the biscuits furnished by the Govern- 
ment for the subsistence of the volunteers. 

Military Befniii on.— Quarter Master — An officer who 
gives no quarters (of Venison. ) 

Prices Current. — Stocks rising, as the military are com- 
pelled to hold their heeds high. Beans and Salt Pork go 
off very rapidly. Eatables, none in the market, those 
bought are underdone. (Dunn, Ass. Qr. Mr.) Modesty in 
great demand. Musket Balls go off at a round rate. Poio- 
der, very raridly. Lead, in heavy demand. Fish, Drum 
in great plenty. Dolphin has left the harbour; but seme 
plaice for eating has been furnished to the volunteers. 

Wonderful Circumstance.— One of the Sentinels upon Pic- 
quet the night before last, was alarmed by a violent and 
continued noise, which induced him to call the guard to his 
assistance. After a strict and patient search "by flocd and 
field," the expectation of meeting a body of hostile Indians, 
was singularly disappointed by the discovery that the tumult 



[ch. 6. 



author's journal. 



131 



Night alarm from the Picquets. 

arose from the ineffectual efforts of a crooked strick which 
was trying to lie straight. 

Conundrum.— .Why is a member of congress like a man 
in a close room? 

Ans.— Because he is not liable to a draught. 

We are informed that by a late rule of the Garrison, not 
more than fourteen persons are hereafter to use the same 
Tooth Brush. 



February 9th.— Thr? alarm was sounded to night, and a 
report reached us that the city was attacked. We repaired 
rapidly to the post of danger, (which thus became the post 
of honor) marched through bushes and swamps, and re- 
mained under arms there during the entire night. Our sen- 
tinels fired on a scouting party of about seven Indians, whom 
they distinctly saw file to the left, and retreat through the 
shrubbery. On this occasion, every soldier placed his fin- 
gers upon his weapon, as upon the shoulders of a tried and 
trusty friend, and every officer grasped his sword as he 
would the helping hand of a brother. Never was more 
promptitude evinced than by the volunteers, as they march- 
ed out to the relief of their sentinels, whom they feared 
might be cut off. Never was greater ardour manifested 
than theirs, as the guns continued to be discharged by the 
sentry during our progress to the picquet, and after our ar- 
rival. 

February 11th.— The prints of the Indian mocasins were 
distinctly traced by us yesterday near the spot to which the 
firing was directed on the 9th. On that occasion, there 
were several guns discharged, both by officers and privates, 
and none drew trigger who did not believe their sight was 
drawn upon a foe. The news of Gen. Hernandez' place 
being burned, which has just* arrived, confirms the correct- 
ness of the impressions entertained by us, that the Indians 
were in the vicinage. 

But to proceed from grave to gay. Our five by six news- 



*That is, the news, nor the place, has just arrived 



132 



attthor's journal* 



[ch. 6. 



Some prospect of an Obituary Notice. 

paper will indicate, that we are not without our occasional 
mirth. My co-editor is a genius, and therefore an oddity of 
the former, of which he affords proof to our printers by his 
puns, and of the latter he gives testimony to me, by growing 
vastly fond of me. When at one time I was aboutleaving 
the volunteers, having agreed with Capt. Porter that I would 
march with him to join Gen. Clinch, as he then expected to 
do, the Doctor really grew pathetic, as he contemplated the 
parting hour, and my perilous enterprise. 1 should have 
cried had I not laughed; and to prevent piping, resorted to 
punning. My co-editor visits me "from morn to noon, from 
nooon to dewy eve," and then calls at midnight to spend the 
evening. To him, rather than to myself, I attribute the 
spread renown my room enjoys for its "noctes coenaeque," 
and the flow of souls that come to his feast of wit. He oft 
invites a half score boon companions to take tea, not with 
himself, but with me, at 1 or 2 in the morning; and at such 
periods we lead old father Time by his single grey lock in 
front, down the merry dance of life, disarming him of his 
scythe, and shivering his hour glass into a thousand atoms. 

Although my motto, on these occasions, is "vive la bag. 
utelle" yet I sometimes sadden as the Doctor perpetrates 
a violently funny witticism, for I fear that he will, one day 
or other, be the death of me. But then I shall die, as the 
philosopher Democritus lived, a laughing. Alas! my bro- 
ther- Editor, what keen reproaches will harass up your 
sensitive soul, should your eye meet my obituary, commen- 
cing. 

Died of a fatal joke; or, departed this life of a sudden 
pun; or, fell down in a fit, of laughter. 

February 12th. — On this day the volunteers obtained per- 
mission from Gen. Eustis to go into the country and scour 
it for Indians. It is not their fault, if time thus spent in a 
march of 18 or 20 miles, through a wet and toilsome re- 
gion, brought them not in contact with the foe: 

"Sed taraen aliqmd est tentasse." 

Lo! a splendid soldier and gallant gentleman, deservedly 
high in public confidence, is rapidly dashing through the 



CH. 6.] 



author's jottrnal. 



133 



The Volunteers honorably discharged. 

narrow streets of Augustine, his charger flaked with foam, 
his martial cloak floating in the breeze, and his chapeau- 
bras doffed to greet us. And Col. Brisbane (for the read- 
er who has seen him, we trust, will at once recognize the 
Colonel in our sketch) with his glorious companies, must 
not be detained. I therefore draw rapidly to a close this 
imperfect outline of the thirty days' defence of Augustine, 
by stating, that the 1st Regiment " of South-Carolina militia, 
and Major Kirby's command, arriving. Gen. Eustis deems 
it no longer needful to retain in this city the volunteers, who 
have been specially charged with its protection, as may be 
seen in his order about this period. 

We are accordingly honorably relieved, and transports 
furnished for the return to South-Carolina, of all except the 
few of us who will continue in the ensuing campaign. And 
if a larger number do not re-volunteer, it is not because the 
will, but the power, is wanting. The regiment has arrived 
fully officered and manned— many an applicant cannot be 
accepted, and of others, the public relations or private af- 
fairs call them imperiously homeward. 

It is gratifying to be enabled to declare, with perfect sin- 
cerity, as I now do, that during the entire period of our stay 
here, the utmost harmony has prevailed among the several 
South-Carolina companies, as well as between the officers 
and privates of each. And I add, with unaffected pleasure, 
that the Rev. Mr. Mitchell, who has accompanied us, won, 
and will carry back with him to Charleston, and through a 
life of future usefulness, (prosperous and prolonged, I trust 
it will be) the respectful regards of every heart that could 
estimate amiable worth, and every mind capable of appreci- 
ating virtue, severe only to itself, and sweetly smiling a tol- 
eration of the venial frailties of others— persuading all, per- 
secuting none, and impressing, not by words, but acts, the 
solemn and salutary Bible truth, that "except the Lord 
keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." 

The services of the thirty day volunteers have been 
slighted, and in some- sort, sneered at, or attempted to be 
ridiculed— but I have no other idea of dignity than as it 
consists in a faithful discharge of duty, in whatever situa- 



134 



AUTHOR "s JOURNAL. 



[cfi. 6. 



Vindication of the Volunteers. 

tion Providence may have assigned us. It will be perceiv- 
ed by reference to the Charleston resolutions, and Gen. 
Eustis' order from head quarters, that it was made the pe- 
culiar province of these volunteers, to guard and protect 
the city, and the proceedings of the Council at Augustine 
shew that they fully discharged this undertaking. Yes! 
they did so with all the fervour wherewith the devotee kin- 
dles and continues the sacred fire on the altar. The flame 
of their martial zeal never for a moment flickered, but like 
the pious and perennial light in the Catholic Church at Au- 
gustine, was fed by daily diligence, and burned upward and 
onward with a steady, though undazzling lustre, 



CHAPTER VII. 



THE AUTHOR'S JOURNAL AUGUSTINE TO VOLUSIA. 

'Character and conduct of the Volunteers of the South generally— Col. 

' Brisbane and the 1st Regiment South Carolina Militia in the Army oi 
Florida— Captain Elmore and the Columbia Volunteers— operations oi 
Col. Brisbane's Command East of the St. Johns— Brigadier General Bull 
-arrives at Camp McCrea— the 1st Regiment leaves there and proceeds to 
Volusia— Cols. Butler's and Brisbane's concerted movement upon Spring 
Garden— the former proceeds to Tomoka— the latter returns to Volusia, 
where we fiad Brigadier General Eustis and Staff.] 



"Impedimenta." 

The carriages of an army— bag and baggage. 

[Vide Ccesar's Commentaries— passim. 



Augustine, Feb. loth. — Never did Rome or Greece in 
days of yore — nor France, nor England, in modern times — 
pour forth a nobler soldiery, than the Volunteers in the Ar- 
my of Florida, during the'campaign of 1836, from Geor- 
gia, Alabama, Louisiana and South Carolina. As the san- 
dal tree sheds perfume on the axe that fells it, so would the 
vilest Seminole become ennobled by the slaying of the least 
one of these gallant sons of the South. Had* the disposi- 
tion of them equalled the disposition in them, peradventure 
the time-honored parent would cease to tremble for the 
safety of a son; the young and doting sister's roseate cheek 
to pale with fears for a brother; and the affianced maiden's 
lip to quiver, her eye to fill with tears, and heart to quake 
for a lover absent. 

If the most determined valor, indomitable energy, and 
competent self-resources in the officers— seconded by 
cool'courage, unshrinking firmness and generous enthusi- 
asm in the'soldiers under their command, could have avail- 
ed aught, Florida would have been tranquilized, and the 
ring of the Seminole rifle never more be borne on the 
breeze, rousing the peaceful slumbers of midnight. 

To cause the citizen-soldier to shoulder the slung mus- 
ket, draw the girded sword, and rush to the battle field; 



136 author's JOURNAL. [ch. 7. 

Tribute to the Volunteers of the South generally. 

it was enough for him to know that his brethren of Florida 
were weak, and assailed. But he knew also that the In- 
dians were the aggressors— that not content with retaining 
the soil they had covenanted to cede, (a retention violatory 
ol treaties ratified and re-affirmed, and therefore, of itself, just 
causa of war) they invaded regions which they never pre- 
tended to possess, and commenced offensive operations 
on the whites. He had learned that the dark demon of ru- 
in was rioting, not 'mid barren wastes, where no grateful 
verdure quickens, and no generous plant takes root— or 
where the herbage is stinted and the shrubbery bare, but on 
the cultivated lands, the valuable mills and mansions; that 
the planter could only flee for succour and for safety 
(as flee he must) to the garrisoned city guided by the con- 
flagration of his own dwelling; that where the* sun was 
wont to shine most brightly, there rolled dark clouds of war 
— -where the crops had been most luxuriant, there the 
fields were laid bare— -where the herds were once most nu- 
merous, there the cattle had been dispersed— -where here- 
tofore arose the stately edifice, now stood a smouldering, 
ashy heap. He knew, moreover, that where man once 
dwelt in peace r neath his umbrageous and wide-spreading 
oak, or by the flower-enamelled margin of some limpid 
brook, there 

"Hoarse barks the wolf, the vulture screams from far— 
The Angel, Pity, shuns the walks of war!" 

mere the trees were fired, the flowers trampled, and above 
■all, human blood poured out like water. Yes! where the 
lark had carolled its matin hymn most gaily, thence it fled 
affrighted from the shrieking bird of prey, and for its 

"Native wood notes wild," 

were substituted the groans and gnashings of despair, 

The Volunteers were ?nen, and resolved if their right 
hands could accomplish it, the land should not blush but 
with roses, nor know any bleeding but the vine. They felt 
that chivalry were of little avail, if it warmed only at the 
fireside of peace, and chilled in the battlefield; that its fruit 
were little worth, if the first blasts of war could shake its 
"buds from blowing." 




CH. 7.] 



author's journal. 



137 



Col. Brisbane's Regiment, and Capt Elmore's Columbia Volunteers. 

"But I find myself hurried away, by feeling, from the 
plan of the present work, which requires that this chapter 
be confined to a portion of the left wing of the Army. 
To its operations, therefore, I shall proceed.* 

Camp Eustis, Feb. 16th.— On page 133, we stated the 
appearance in Augustine of Col. Brisbane; his regiment 
arrived here about the middle of February, the different 
companies landing nearly at the same time. Soon after, 
Capt. Elmore's Company of Columbia Volunteers sprang 
upon the shores of Florida. The fine appearance of the 
troops from South Carolina, armed cap a pie, and well ap- 
pointed— -their lofty port and fearless front— -their step pre- 
saging their future firmness, and their eyes enkindled by 
the holiest impulses, threw an air of life and liveness o'er 
the city, to which it had long been a stranger. They are 
confident in their cause, and in their commanders — Colonel 
Brisbane and Capt, Elmore, gentlemen and chevaliers in the 
fullest sense of these most comprehensive terms. 

The Columbia Volunteers are, temporarily, stationed 
within the city; the first Regiment having already occupied 
the tented field South of St. Francis' Barracks. Flow ani- 
mated, how interesting, the scene Camp Eustis presents! 
It appears like some gay drama, in which each man has to 
play his part, and each strives to perform it well. Like 
other actors, some are perfect, many not so, and the re- 
hearsals are frequent. Lo! the curtain is drawn, and the 



*Xote. — We would only premise two things: Firstly — That our preter- 
mitting the mention of the gentlemen of the regular Army in the foregoing 
reflections, is with no derogatory intendment. In the proper place we 
shall "speak of them as they deserve, "nor aught set down in malice;" 
and will here only add, that some of them are our personal friends — and 
for others we entertain no sentiments but those of kindness and respect. Se- 
condly — We have ascribed to other Volunteers "the motives which, in a 
war like this, can actuate their breasts and ours." And we take leave to 
say, once for all, that if heretofore we have made, or hereafter do make, any 
observation or statement whichshall be proven error, we will gladly avail 
ourselves of any fit occasion to repair the wrong. We intend to express no- 
thing but what we know or believe, and conclude this reference to others 
by declaring with BurTon, as to ourselves, that 

"J'aime autante une personne qui me releve d'une erreur, qu'une autre 
qui m'apprend une verite, parce qu'en effect une erreur corrigee est une 
veriteV'— - Buffon Quad. IX. 158. 
12* 



138 



ATJTH0R ? S JOtTRNAL. 



[ch. 7. 



The tented field south of St. Francis' barracks, described. 

ardent Col. B. enters upon the stage — the drama's very life 
blood; like it, pervading every part. Here may be heard 
"left"— "right," "left," "right,"— to the end of the chapter, 
(or rather to the end of the field) and there, "shoulder arms" 
-—"order arms"—- "stand at ease" (an order promptly 
obeyed.) At the front, may be seen our able Adjutant, 
(my valued friend A. G. Magrath, whom the men used to 
say was born for a soldier; and the officers, that he was in- 
tended by nature for an Adjutant) extending orders to the 
amiable and willing Sergeant-Major, the modest yet manly 
Sumter, grand son of the game cock of the South. In 
the rear, behold our active Quarter Master, (my handsome 
friend A. P. Aldrich) receiving, and the indefati gable Com- 
missary Hatch, distributing rations of bread and pork, while 
my brother member of the Bar, Edwar% Carroll, Esq. ap- 
propriately placed in the Ordnance (Qu. Ordinance) De- 
partment, takes issue, and counts rations. (Certainly the 
Commissariat contains the most ratlon-al of gentlemen*) 

In one corner of the field, the young officers— Captain 
Ashby, Lieuts. Bryan, Simmons, Holmes, Russell, are pre- 
sented to their respective companies; and in another, the 
ever diligent Dr. Strobel, is wiping alternately the lancet 
and double barrelled gun, wherewith he is so well qualified 
to draw blood. But the curtain must drop upon descrip- 
tion, the scene changes from rehearsal to performance. 

Camp Hanson, Feb. 19th In consequence of the defi- 

ciences of transportation, we cannot move en masse. Cap- 
tains Jones and Henry, and our Regiment Surgeon, were 
therefore directed to take up the line of march early on the 
morning of the 18th, for Hernandez'; and Captains Parker 
and Quattlebaum followed to day. Major Kirby started 
yesterday with two Companies United States Regulars, in 
the steamer Dolphin, for Bulo w's. The remainder of our 
Regiment left for the present encampment this afternoon. 

As we quit the city, many of the inhabitants turn out to 
see us, and give us a heartfelt "God speed!" They know, 
alas! too well, that the foe are merciless when met, and that 
we are bent on meeting them— -that we have relinquished 
home, and the sweet endearments of domestic life— tear- 



CH. 7.] 



author's journal. 



139 



First view of a "burn" in Florida. 

ing ourselves from those we love, to respond to their wailing 
cry for succour. And the Floridians reflect on the parting 
scene, as we left all for their sakes; even the cousin's token 
of remembrance, and the very menials' honest shake of the 
hand, as we rushed from the roofs under which we were 
born, and the old nurse who had borne us in her arms, and 
parted for months — perhaps forever. And feeling these 
things, the people audibly ejaculate, "God preserve ye!" 

We pause not, as does the narration, but proceed- to this 
place. 

Camp Debut, Feb. 21st Our station yesterday was 

within the plantation of Mr. Hanson, one of the members 
of the Territorial Council. To-day the Regiment is en- 
camped a few yards without Mr. H's. enclosure, but the 
Staff continue to occupy the snug room to which he has 
invited us. Every thing is at our service, even the servant 
Sandy, whom I call Alexander the Great, "with a differ- 
ence," as Ophelia says — "Macedonia's madman," slew un- 
feathered bipeds — Sandy, the wise, slays feathered ones, 
and cooks them too, but plumes himself On first unpluming 
them. 

The weather being very cold last night, and we sleeping 
on the floor, Col. B. gave us the benefit of his experience, 
and commended our laying feet fireward, that thus the heat 
might radiate. But alas! it did more; it irradiated blankets, 
clothes and all, and we saw the first smoke of a hostile fire 
(for sure it was no friendly flame.) We had heard of the 
"burns" in Florida, but did not anticipate so early a sight 
of one. But so it is! "All flesh is grass."* 

February 22d.—We are still here, sedulously engaged 
in drills, and the thousand other duties of a camp — distribu- 
ting munition, clearing the ground, and pitching tents out of 
the way of watch fires, aye, and of cooking fires too. 
For no where is the definition of man, as the cooking ani- 
mal, more correct than in an army, when not on the march, 



*We inform the lady reader, who is not supposed to be quite a Columel- 
la in agricultural lore, that the best grazing ground in Florida is always to 
be met on what are called "burns," where the shrubbery has been fired 



140 



author's journal. 



[ch. 7. 



Nearly all remaining puns condensed into one page. 

(and he has any thing to cook.) The staff are often sent 
into the city for supplies, and most catagmatic falls do our 
horses favour us with, as we gallop over the broken bridge. 

We leave here to-morrow for Hernandez', at least some 
of us, for, by reason of the wretched transportation, we 
have to move in detached bodies. The best friends must 



"Farewell," the roofed house! "farewell"' Hyson! 
"Farewell" th' "unplumed" bird and the "big" rice 
"That makes" the dinner meal the best! "O, farewell!" 
"Farewell ' 1 the game of whist, and the high "trump," 
"The spirit stirring" spoon, the throat "piercing" wine. 
The "royal" punch: "and all quality, 
Pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious" Eude! 
"And O you mortal engines, whose rude throat3 
The immortal Jove's" fine suppers well may fit, 
"Farewell!" cook Sandy's "occupation's gone!" 

Camp Edgefield, February 23. — When I said Sandy's 
occupation's gone. I should have added — and. with it — 
so am I, or rather should be, for I paused so long at Mr. 
H's. door, where we were cracking whips and jokes, that 
ere I started, the detachment got a-head, but as they were 
a -foot, and only a-mile off, and their wagons a-wry* I soon 
reached them. We marched 'till near sunset, tracing, on 
our way, the frequent mocasin print, and halted in a wood 
near (yes! quite too near) excellent water, (at least I should 
have thought it good, having been used to rain water all 
my life; and it rained water most copiously; no sovereign 
ever reigned more plenarily or potentially. Here we re- 
ceived the first damper to our feelings, which would have 
been yet damper, but that our thoughtful friend. Lieut. 
Hatch, brought with him some five or six feet of india rub- 
ber cloth. This we placed on a sapling, secured to two 
opposite trees by our bridles, dirks, &c, and thus we had a 
roof impervious to water. Our horse-blankets formed the 
sides of our spacious mansion, and the saddle bags our pil- 
low, our lodging being "on the could ground." With ma- 
ny a dry joke we passed a wet night. 

To this place I gave the name of Camp Edgefield, in 
compliment to Capt. Hibler, (the senior officer in the detach- 



part. 



Oh now, Mr. H., 




CH. 7.] 



author's journal. 



141 



Camp Brisbane — A Botanic stranger. 

ment now here) also to Lieut. Col. Huit, and Capt. Jones' 
officers and privates, they all being, like Capt. Hibler, from 
Edgefield District. 

Camp Brisbane, February 24. — Up rose the sun, and up 
rose we. As sunrise is a rare show to me, I noticed it par- 
ticularly, and could not help observing, that the eve of day 
was very red, which I attribute to its previous weeping. 
However, it soon began to kiss up the tears it had shed on 
every blade of grass, as they trcikled off like pearls running 
over emeralds. We proceeded till past dinner time (even 
in England) as we judged by our appetite, that most accu- 
rate horologe. We passed Flotard's, Dupont's, Hernan- 
dez', at Mala Compra and Long's, neither of which have- 
been yet disturbed by the Indians.* On the way hither, I 
gathered an early but a splendid plant, the long stalk of 
which, after rising high, turned till the flower touched the 
soil. This botanic stranger, notwithstanding its position, 
has a queenly look, and seems to say to the passer by, like 
Constance (in Shakspeare's King John) as she throws her- 
self on the earth, 

"Here is ray throne, bid kings come bow to it." 

I shall preserve this floral gem, nor will I pretermit any 
pains to collect all the rare and beauteous products of this 
country; and then, let the world tremble, as it anticipates a 
botanic disquisition, stamens, pistils, classes, orders, sex, 
habits, history, and all that Linnaeus or Jussieu could de- 
sire. 

Halting to slake our thirst in an embowered brook of 
cool, clear water, we are gladdened by the sight of a few 
soldiers from the detachment which had preceded us. They 
are on a foraging excursion, they tell us, and that Camp 
Brisbane is just in view, (by which is ever meant, not far 
out of sight. ) They add, with all the gravity which the 



*This refers to the date, Feb. 24, but while I was at Augustine, in May, 
Mr. Dupont came into the city with his two little ones, who had to walk 
all the way, half clad . The Indians had surrounded his house, killed Mr. 
Lon2, carried off the negroes, and destroyed his buildings. So in like man- 
ner, of other places subsequently to the time at which I journalized. 



142 



author's journal. 



[ch. 7. 



Five Companies assembled at Hernandez'. 

communication deserves, that of Indians they have met 
none, but of pumpkins, a plenty. Chips and pies! cried I, 
and spurring my horse, dash into Camp Brisbane, as our 
encampment here at Gen. Hernandez' plantation, (St. Jo- 
seph's) is named, in deserved compliment to a most merito- 
rious officer. Capt. Hibler, with his company, came up 
the next moment, also Lieutenants Smith and Bacot, with a 
portion of Capt. Doucin's corps — the rest of whom, having 
taken water conveyance, were found high and dry, and 
brought here, this evening, by the boat with Col. Brisbane, 
Adjutant Magrath, Quarter Master Aldrich, Capt. Doucin, 
and Lieut. Pinckney. At this place we find the compa- 
nies of Captains Henry and Jones, with our regimental Sur- 
geon, Dr. Strobel. They had *enjoyed bad weather, worse 
roads, and a tedious march, not arriving here till the third 
day after they left Augustine, a distance little over 30 miles. 
Some, on the last day, had but one biscuit each. They were 
joined at Camp B. by Capts. Parker and Quattlebaum, on the 
day before yesterday. From the frequent mocasin tracks, 
with the general belief that there were large bodies of hos- 
tilesin the vicinage, we expect an attack, but thus far, are 
disappointed therein, whether agreeably or otherwise, this 
deponent saith not. 

That we have not, in all this time, proceeded farther, or 
accomplished more, must be attributed solely to the fact of 
our not being provided with transport fit to do aught but 
carry poultry to market, and of these fowl wagons, not 
enough. We have not even a hospital cart, and in the 
event of an engagement, should any of us be shot, the rest 
will have to throw out the provisions of the hale and whole, 
to make provision for the wounded. Then as to the sick, 
what could we do with them on a march? 

A reconnoitering party visited Williams', and found his 
valuable mill and dwelling house burnt. Gen. Hernandez' 
costly mill is also destroyed, but the lead is taken from nei- 
ther, whence a conjecture that the Indians have never re- 



*I know folks who complain that they enjoy bad health! Now, lstly, 
health can't be bad] and 2dly, if it could be, where would be the enjcyment 
at such tiroes? 



CH. 7.] 



author's journal. 



148 



Desolation at Bulow's, and elsewhere, described. 

peated their visit, after firing, these buildings. We have 
occasional "alarms," but no frights, the soldiery turning out 
with great promptitude and zealous valour. 

Camp Bulow, February 25th. — Two days' rations having 
been prepared, Col. B. orders a move. The line of march 
is taken up at 9 A. M. by the companies of Jones, Henry, 
Quattlebaum, Hibler and Doucin, for Bulow's plantation, on 
which the Indians were reported to be in considerable force, 
having a stockade, swivel, &c. After a fatiguing march of 
twelve miles, rendered more so by the delays of the wagons, 
we arrived here, found no foe, took quiet possession of the 
fort and a four-pounder, and encamped for the night. 

We gazed, not without regret, on a scene over which 
ruin brooded, or stalked with no stealthy pace. The noble 
mill and mansion are utterly destroyed, and an extensive Li- 
brary of splendid works is scattered over the field, torn, or 
fired, as if the Seminole willed not that we should sip of the 
pleasant waters of the Pierian spring, "the pure well of En- 
glish undented," to the savage, but a sealed fount. Here 
we rescued a Milton and Shakspeare, and mean to make 
them the companions of our otherwise weary way, the sola- 
ces of our heart-heavy hours. Think of one of these in- 
sensate sons of the forest, with a "Paradise Lost," or a 
"Hamlet," holding it up, looking at it, and trampling or 
burning it. What to him is the mighty English lion? What 
to him the sweet swan of Avon? In his hands they are but 
"as a jewel of gold in a swine's snout," as Solomon saith. 
But I check my wanderings — let paradoxical Rousseaus go 
write essays to prove the superiority of savage over civilized 
life, and let learned Academies crown them therefor. 

Camp Henry, February 26th.— Leaving Capt. Doucin's 
company to garrison the fort at Bulow's, we take up the line 
of march with what provisions and baggage we can carry 
on our backs. The tents, &c. are sent round by boats, 
which we found at our last encampment. Our road is 
through heavy sands and occasional swamps; wet pine bar- 
rens on either hand, succeeded by thick scrub. The bridge 
on the road having been destroyed, we go round about two 



144 author's journal. [ch. 7. 

Rifles heard and Indians descried. 



miles, corne to a watering place, at the base of a steep hill, 
shaded by foliage almost impervious. Here we find a mis- 
erable ox. nearly starved to death, having been tied to a tree 
by the Indians, who have never returned either to save or 
slay. We gladly cut him loose, and quickly let him roam 
where he will.* 

T\ e passed onward, traversing in our course the planta- 
tions of Ormond, Darley and Dummett, which were in ruins. 

Having stopt several miles behind the regiment with a 
sick soldier, as I carelessly hurried up, the men winked, nod- 
ded, beckoned: but 'twas all dumb show to me, till coming 
nearer, I heard the whisper, distinctly audible amid silent 
hundreds in the quiet woods— Indians, Indians, Indians. 
And I found that as the ccmpanies were proceeding on a 
causeway leading trom Dummett's to M'Crea's, the report 
of three rifles were heard, and immediately after, several In- 
dians were descried watching our movements. We are 
now certain of a brush. Every precaution is taken to pre- 
vent an ambush, or the escape of the savages. Capt. Quat- 
tlebaunvs corps is ordered to advance, so as to outflank the 
foe on the right, and Capt. Jones ; company, on the left — the 
Irish Volunteers and Capt. Hibler's command forming the 
centre. Never did officers or men behave with more cool- 
ness or firmness: yet all are, not only ready, but anxious for 
the conflict. 1 am placed in command of a party, and di- 
rected to despatch an express on the earliest intelligence of 
Indian approaches. To effectuate this, one of the men is 
made to climb the tallest tree, reconnoitre and report. Not- 
withstanding my stern orders for silence, some of my troop 
continually interrogate the scout as to the prospect from the 
tree top. These questions, with his answers, remind me of 
Fatima in Blue Beard, and her oft enquiries of sister Ann; 



*T^ S may seem too trivia] to mention, vet it was no trifling: pleasure to 
liberate the poor dvmb thing— to lead him to the water uhickhad leenfor 
days m his view, and cut of his reach! and then to guide him to a grazing 
pound. Besides, that this wretched and famishing creature should have 
been thus tied, and so abandoned, illustrates the heartless and thoughtless 
cruelty of the Seminole, who. as we subsequently see. is in thevicinsge of 
this deserted animal. In this point of view. I have thought the incident 
worth recording, as holding up a fight wherewith to peruse a passage in 
the volume of Indian character. 



[ch. 7. 



author's journal. 



145 



The troops fall back on Dummett's. 

"Sister Ann, do you see any body coming?" His replies 
were almost in the words of "sister Ann." "Oh yes! I see 
a great dust, a great way off — now I see something moving 
— now I see a large body, but I cannot tell which side they 
are moving — they may be cattle; no, they are men, and they 
are approaching, but I don't know if they are white, black, 
or red men. Yes I do, they are — yes, now I see them 
plainer, they are Indians, and a heap of 'em, and coming 
right towards us." I post a mounted express to the Colonel, 

and by the time he returns, thu scout aloft discovers 

that they are our own troops, Capt. Quattlebaum's ri- 
flemen, who I stated were sent out in advance. As thev 
returned from a fruitless search, the sun shining on their 
tin canteens, shewed who they were. To complete this 
account, I add, that while some of my command were con- 
stantly interrogating the scout, others were with great diffi- 
culty kept from sleeping. Such are the differences between 
individuals. Such is man! the strangest sex in the world, 
(except woman.) 

Having scoured the hammocks in every direction, and 
stationed troops at every point where the Indians were 
likely to escape, we find that they have nevertheless given 
us the slip. After reconnoitering M'Crea's, where acorn 
house is seen yet burning, weare ordered to fall back upon 
Dummett's, so as to have the causeway between us and the 
Indians, should they be in force. As we are retiring upon 
Dummett's, a fine fat bullock is discovered, which the sava- 
ges had shot and partly skinned. I need not add, we car- 
ried the prize with us. 

At Dummett's, stationed with Capt. Hibler's company, in 
the ruins of the sugar mill, I very politely invite Dr. Stro- 
bel to partake my couch; the which accepting, he and I 
creep into a bake house of the burnt building. Overcome 
by excessive fatigue, we fall, or rather rush into a deep 
sweet sleep, from which we are aroused by a discharge from 
the guns of the two sentinels on the broken wall, just over 
our heads. Endeavouring to get out, by getting my feet 
out, (for from want of width in our bed chamber, we can 
only proceed feet foremost) I find I am impeded. I con- 
clude that I am pinned to the wall by one of the mosquitoes 
13 



146 



author's journal. 



[CH. ?. 



We scour the scrub, and see and shoot no Indians. 

which are here perfect Anaks, regular Titans. But I dis- 
cover that my spur (which from fatigue I had not pulled off) 
has caught in the Doctor's sword-guard.* In extricating 
the rowel, I happen to run it rather deeper than is plea- 
sant through his epidermis: whereupon the Doctor exclaims, 
"the Lord deliver us ! what gallinippers! Cohen, did 
you ever feel such?" No, said I, (divining what spurs him 
"up to such a sudden flood of mutiny") I never did feel any 
exactly like that, but it's not as biting as a rifle -ball, so let's 
bolt out. 'Tis a tough job, what with the spuP and the lit- 
tle space, but I have ever found that man creates a way of 
doing what must be done, so out we got. 

The officer of the guard orders a detail to beat the bush- 
es for Indians. While they are looking at each other, 
doubtful which side to go, the Doctor steps up, cocking his 
double-barrelled gun, and heads the party to the woods, 
exclaiming, "forward, men! I'll lead you on — cock y'r 
guns, for in partridge shooting, we must be prepared to 
take them on the wing." W hereupon, we scour the scrub, 
observing a moving light as we enter it, and pursuing it, 
see and shoot — no Indians, and return. The light proves 
to be only an inoffensive fire-fly. 

Concluding that a cool wetting will be better than a hot 
one, though it looks for rain, we resolve to bivouack in the 
open air. So we "ground arms" and legs, lay "at ease," 
and "rest" on the brow of a hill, hoping that the breeze will 
blow off one formidable foe, the mosquitoes. I remarked in 
the preceding sentence, "it looks for rain," I should add, it 
finds it, and the continuous dropping wakes me up. On 
looking around, I discover that my friend does not play me 
fair, but at the approach of foul weather, whether I will or 
not, deserts my spacious bed of broad acres, which I was 
sharing with him, and staves himself into a sugar hogshead, 
(to prevent getting whooping cough* I fancy.) I am almost 
tempted to pretend that my purpose is only to wake him, 
and give the hogshead a kick, for being on the summit of a 
hillock, off it would roll, and round would my friend go. 



*For we realize the passage in Proverbs, "Every man has his sword upon 
his thigh, because of fear in the night." 



€H. 7.] 



author's journal. 



147 



We leave Camp Henry and arrive at Camp M'Crea. 

But as he is sick, I leave him to the difficulties he already 
has to surmount. The Doctor's berth is too narrow to per- 
mit his exit, save feet forward, and the undulating surface 
of the sloppy ground, prevents his steadying the barrel for 
this purpose. Finally, and not without much heaving, like 
a ship in a heavy sea, he emerges. And now that he is 
out, whaf with his upturned hands, mournful shake of the 
head, long drawn breath, the soot from the burnt bakery, 
the sugar from the soiled hogshead, and the perspiration 
Which flows from his face over all, like streams wearing a 
channel through the fields they irrigate, there is such a con- 
fused blending of black and white, that, 'till I grow grey, I 
shall remember my friend's sad, funny plight. 

Camp M'Crea, February 27th. — We leave Camp Henry, 
as I name our last Camp, in compliment to the Captain of 
the Irish Volunteers, and his gallant corps, who so well rep- 
resent Ireland in generosity and bravery. Our boats arri- 
ving last night, we go down early this morning to the land- 
ing, on the Tomoka, where we cook our spoil, to prevent 
its spoiling. After eating one hearty breakfast of fresh 
beef, we proceed to this place, distant from Augustine about 
fifty miles, and but a few miles from Anderson's, (the scene 
of the Dunlawton battle, for an account of which, see ante 
page 92.) 

A company being left in charge, a party is sent out to 
scour the adjacent- country, which is already clean of In- 
lians. We, however, discover traces of their recent visits 
uid a yet smouldering fire. We return after a wet and la- 
)orious expedition, the fatigue of which prevents this day's 
ournal from being more tiresome to readers, by inducing 
fne to abridge it. So I only add, that we send down to the 
boats which had come round, thence procure and pitch our 
tents* and establish ourselves. And now for bed, that is, 
for palmetto-leaf couches, and pine-stump pillows. 

February 28. — To-day we are out in the scrub and ham- 
mock -land, up to our heads in briars, and our knees m mud. 
I start on horseback, but finding it impossible (as the guide 
foretold) to progress with my horse, I have him returned to 



148 



author's journal. 



[ch. 7. 



Visit to Major Heriot's fine lands on the Halifax, 

camp, and proceed a-foot.* I enter the hammock just after 
Col. B.,who is seen toiling laboriously, and heard hacking 
at round rate, but coming up to the spot, I can find no trace 
of his work, on which the lithe woods have completely 
closed. My valued friend, Adjutant M., who is close be- 
hind me, tells me that he heard me making a terrible tc-do, 
but that, on his arrival at the same point, he can't ascertain 
what it's all about. The fact is, that he who follows, •'takes 
nothing by the motion" of his predecessor, as we lawyers 
phrase it, each having to carve a path for himself with his 
own sword. The vines woo us most lovingly, and clasp us 
with so tenacious an embrace, as to render parting scarce 
practicable, Major W. informs me that he could not keep 
his file-leader in sight, so dense was the shrubbery. 

Camp M'Crea, March 6. — Events are so few and unim- 
portant, that I have not journalized since the 28th. 

On the 29th, Col. B. and staff, with Jones' and Henry's 
companies, went down to Major Heriot's, on the Halifax, 
12 miles south of our present position, and found it exhibit- 
ing the usual evidence of visits from the Indians, who come 
but to blast. At Williams', a neighboring plantation, the 
mill was standing, f Our troops remained at this place, 'till 
two companies U. S. arrived under command of Major 
Kirby, who will take post there and establish a depot, if ad- 
visable. 

We have thrown up an extensive breast-work, (with deep 
trenches around it) constructed a commissary store-house, 
and mounted a small cannon a-top of it. This piece we 
named M'Duffie, to do honor to one who honors Carolina 
and the country at large, uniting the incorruptibility of Aris- 
tides, with the eloquence of him who 

"Shook the Arsenal, 
And fulmin'd over- Greece, 
To 3Iacedon and. Artaxerxes' throne."' 



*These things are stated in the first person singular, not because I pleas- 
ure in promulgating what I do, but for the reason that the mention of my 
own action or feeling, is oft the readiest mode of describing the soil, or the 
sentiment of others, at the particular time or place. 

tThese lands are very fine, no one need wish better. Major H. has 900 
to 1000 acres of first rate land. The soil is capable of yielding from I to 2 
hogsheads of sugar to the acre, 



CH. 7.] 



author's journal. 



149 



Having nothing else to do, the Author grumbles a little. 

We have also levelled the embankments, burned the grass, 
cut the palmetto and scrub, and removed all objects that 
were within rifle shot of our camp, behind which the enemy 
could conceal himself. 

Having nothing else to do, let's grumble a little. We 
have a great deal of sickness in camp, but thanks to luck 
and the Doctor, no deaths. It has been raining and blow- 
ingfrom N. E. for three days, without intermission. 

The men are in fine spirits, and nothing mars the pleas- 
ure, which, in every expedition, is derived from unanimity 
of feeling, except the difficulties of intercourse with other 
places, and the deficiencies in our list of comforts. Officers, 
who were forced to leave Augustine without any thing but 
the single suit on their backs, find it impossible to procure a 
change of clothing from their ample stores at that place. 
Capt. H. had to leave his trunk there, and borrow a pair of 
socks here, and is almost barefooted. It is near a month 
since the regiment sailed from Charleston, and yet we have 
only been empowered to proceed fifty miles. 

" Now that the stockade and other labours are completed, 
we are absolutely idle, (except at drill) and frittering away 
that precious time which might be employed in serving or 
in saving the country. They say we are waiting on the 
Carolina horse — why were they not furnished with the 
means of transportation, and all things needed to bring them 
here two weeks ago, as was expected? 

March 1th. — Col. B. and Adjutant M. left us early yes- 
terday morn for Augustine, and returned this evening, alone, 
100 miles in two days. The very necessity which could 
induce this perilous ride, speaks trumpet-tongued as to the 
state of things. We felt solicitous for their safety, and 
thank heaven they have returned unscalped to their friends 
in camp, as they are dear to our affections, and invaluable 
to our future operations. They went to tender communica- 
tions to Gen. Eustis, and receive commands from him. 

Our regiment is strung along the entire line from Augus- 
tine to Camp M'Crea, where there are but five companies 
out of ten. 

Here we remain, awaiting orders, and never more than 
13* 



150 



S JOUEKAL, 



[ch.:. 



two or three rations at a time in store. We should have 
been in the field and at our solemn work. God send us a 
quick departure, and a forward march upon the foe. 



March 9th. — Alas, still here, and ail here, still. Yes! 
we may be •'•dreadful as the storm/' but we are certainly 
eze. ?? We did hope ere this to have been 
King Philip and his two or three hundred war- 
ly are we not ordered to his residence. Tohopke- 
are 'here doing nothing, or worse than nothing, 
our stores. One dollar is offered for an ounce 
and five dollars for a bottle of brand}'. Nay., 
eaking of his intention to catch and sell an In- 
. was offered by an officer ten dollars for it if he 
Another said he had'nt money to pay for a 
e would give a pint of whiskey for one. The 
ped up. and rubbing his hands, exclaimed to the 
°er. "Sir. keen your useless silver." and to the 



Such is the difficulty of 
ding the unremitting ex- 

the sick, and his giving 
*3 of self, his private 

for one tea-spoonful of 



wil 



)bie foe, and 
* columnar.'* 



obeyed, and duty rigidly discharged; if difficulties overcome 

But as to our short commons A have Jong made a common 
iest of them. This very day, my amiable friend Major W 



iron spoo: 



been drinking our unsugared coffee, with an 
boriously stirring and daintily sipping it, 



CHt 7.] author's journal. 151 

King Philip's son heads 50 Indians at Cam p M'Crea. 

as if to ascertain if it were sweet enough yet— and then 
getting Lieut. B. to call the attention of our brother officers 
to our stirring times, that they, like other men in other pla- 
ces, may envy us for goods which we possess not. 

March 10$— The scene shifts— we are no longer still— 
the curtain of the campaign is lifted, and the bloody drama 
of war has commenced. Nay, the first act of the tragedy 
has just been performed, the Indians are upon us. At 
dav-light this morning, I am aroused by the horrid whoop- 
ing of about fifty savages, and the clear, sharp, ringing re- 
port of their rifles, so easily distinguishable from a Harper's 
Ferry manufacture.* 

It is but the work of a second to draw the girded sword, 
cock the belted pistol, and rush towards the quarter whence 
the yells issued. I see the animating sight of the compa- 
nies of Doucin, Quattlebaum, Henry, Jones, Hibler, re- 
pairing rapidly to their posts. I hear the awful cry, "they 
are shooting down our unarmed men like dogs," shrieked 
in atone of agony from the lips of (I think) Col. B., who 
had hastened to the battle field with a wind-like velocity. 

What a scene presents itself! A half hundred hideous, 
cooper-coloured savages, some dressed most fantastically 
and frightfully; others but half-clad with hunting shirts; the 
rest naked; all with glaring eyes, black hair, and red-paint- 
ed faces; jumping and screaming like insensate brutes, 
looking like gaunt and famished wolves thirsting for blood 
and springing on their prey. Our unarmed men hurrying 
towards camp, bleeding, falling, groaning, dying! All this 
within 150 yards of the fort, the cannon of which we dare 
not use, lest we.slaughter our own soldiers, who are between 
it and the foe.j 

The ruins of a sugar-mill are about two hundred yards 
from our tents, with extensive hammocks in the rear, and 
towards them our men are in the habit of going daily, to 

*But for this, I should have conjectured that the firing proceeded from 
the guard, who upon coming off duty, used to discharge their loads as it 
had been very rainv, and the powder became damp and the piece foul. 

tSee ante pp. 73—9, for an account of King Philip and his gang, ot 
which these Indians are a portion, commanded by his son. 



152 



AUTHOR *S JOURNAL. 



[ch. 7. 



The enemy kill three of our Regiment. 

procure wood and sugar cane. This morning an unusual 
number had gone thither without arms. The Indian wretch- 
es must have previously noted their wont, and stealing down 
before day. secreted themselves in the ruins, allowing twenty 
or thirty of the soldiers to pass beyond them from "a camp- 
ward direction, without show of fight. But no sooner do 
they retrace their steps, cumbered with their heavy loads, 
than the Seminoles emerge from their concealment and 
scatter themselves, so as to cut off as many as possible. The 
manoeuvre succeeded but too fortunately for them, but too 
fatally for three of our regiment. 

The line of battle is instantly formed, and leaving a few 
men to guard our fort, (which is struck by the Indian balls) 
and protect the sick and the stores, we give hot pursuit. 
Need I add. we strain every nerve to o'erlake the enemy? 
We had been greater brutes than they else! 

Their spy, stationed on the wall of the sugar mill, watch- 
es our movements, and gives the whoop, which is their sig- 
nal for retreat, and like affrighted kites, they abandon 
their prey. Powers of rapid locomotion, and superior 
knowledge of the locale, enable them to-escape our clutches. 

Having chased the Indians as far as practicable, we re- 
turn to ascertain our loss. We discover two of our rem. 
ment, Winsterand Barefield, of Capt, Doucin's company, 
lying dead, a few yards from the mill. .They are both shot 
through the heart, and butcherly scalped, to the very cor- 
ners of their heads. Continuing our search, we discover 
poor old Kennedy (the only aged man in Capt. Henry's 
Irish Volunteers) dead, but unscalped. After being shot 
down, he is fired at, and rushed upon by a dozen Indians, 
as he lay on the ground weltering in his blood.* We bring 
in the dead, and bury them with military honors. No vol- 



♦Several of them jump upon him to secure his scalp, but their contest as 
to who should seize it a creates such a delay as to compel them to flee ere 
their bloody purpose is accomplished, as, by that time, our troops come in 
view, and are nearing them. Hennessee, of the same corps, was with the 
unfortunate Kennedy: they were bringing in a log of wood between them, 
and H. was repeatedly fired at by the foe. from a distance of fifteen or 
twenty paces, but escaped unhurt, only one ball cutting his coat at the col- 
lar. That so many shots, so near, should all have missed his bod v. shews 
their inaccuracy of loading and firing, after the first discharge. 



CH . 6.] author's journal. 153 

Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast, &c. 

unteer this morn eats a welcome meal; it sticks in our 
throats, almost choked by horror at the sight of butchery 
upon defenceless men, but a few moments before full of life 
and hope. Or our food rests heavily upon hearts, swollen 
by regret, that our fellow-soldiers have fallen low, in a for- 
eign grave, and their murderers unpunished by us. But the 
day of retribution, we trust, is not distant. No man returns 
from the field the same being that he was yesterday; we 
are changed, we are roused. Our blood is up, and can 
only be appeased by blood. Our brethren's shades shall 
not "complain that we are slow," or their "ghosts walk un- 
revenged amongst us." These sentiments may have a^ 
savage sound, but they only evince that it is the curse of 
savagery, by its deeds to extend its dominion, even over the 
civilized mind. Yet our sternest retaliation will only be the 
strictest justice upon a fiendish foe. 

March 13th.— Thank God we leave here in a few days, 
for the Indian country. I have the honor of occupying, 
with Dr. Strobel, the cock-loft of a fowl house, the entrance 
to which is up a ladder, and through a window. What a 
place of repose! The eye falls through interstices m the 
floor, (if floor that may be called which floor is none) big 
enough for the body to fall through, and beholds the invalid 
stretched on a pallet of straw, (the lower story being the 
hospital.) The ear is regaled by the long groan and the 
short cough, da capo, the affetuoso of a sigh, the adagio oi 
a whine, the diapason closing in a trombone-like snore, vo- 
cal, accompanied by instrumental music. Can't a rational 
being sleep but 

"In notes with many a winding 'bout. 

Of linked" snoring "long drawn out." 

I am a patient man and a philosophic, but that snore, 
flesh and blood (at least mine) can't stand. The deuce 
take all snoring noses, Grecian or Roman, snub or Stras- 
burgian, even though they be as lovely as that nose which 
King Solomon compares to "the tower of Lebanon, which 
looketh towards Damascus;" and with them, take that re- 
storer of lost sternutatory processes and schneidenan mem- 
branes, Caspar Taliacotius of Bologna, and his folio treat- 



154 author's journal. 



[ch. 7. 



A bird's eye view. 



ise, «de curtorum chirurgia per Insitkmem." There it is 
again! _ First low and short, then loud and hag, as if re- 
joicing m its course. What right has env man to trumpet 
forth bis tnumph, while depriving me of -Nature's sweet 
restorer, balmy sleep," that "swift on downy pinions flies 
Irony me. -and lights on" ears disturbed not "by a snore " 
But what a scene does our room present! Here, a bird's 
e.*e stuck on a dirk— there, various specimens of the grass- 
es. Un one side, riband snakes, rattle snakes, and alt sorts 
ot snakes— on the other, fresh skinned paroquets, theirstuff 
ing of tow but half inserted, half dangling out. On the nine 
sapling table, the Paradise Lost which -we found at Bulow's 
-on the floor, the Army Regulations, which are no Para- 
Qise Regained But I leave the further description of an 
battle' S ° 0n t0 abandon for the telJ i ed ne] d of 

Johma, on the St. John's, March 17fA.— We left Camp 
M Crea on the morning of the 15th, and though thence to 
una place is but tturty miles, we did not arrive here 'till to- 
i . . da y s occupied in traversing such a distance, 
wui sufficiently attest the condition of the" road, I should ra- 

ner say, oi tne trail, for road we had none, except of our 
own making. _ Great indeed have been the toil and fatigue 
endured on this march, and nobly did our fine soldiers ac- 
compnsn if i hey were often in water to their waists, more 

uanliail the way being through swamps. To any one 
wno nasever travelled over this region, it will be enono-h to 

S^r ?r? t0 . pa T SS the * Haw Creeks, which are the 
i ^xj ^± uLhhi & ijake. Alter toiimo- tor hours to cut 
away tne dense growth of trees, the very stumps left be- 
neath the surface of the water, (and which therefore could 

not be tvinymp-' | n „. n „\ V ui.in^.iCLumu 

J mnn ; " lf ¥™w- lowerj were so numerous that it became 
impossible to guide the horses through the tortuous clear- 
ing. ihey were accordingly taken out. and the men rut 
in; or. to express myself in other words, the team- were 
unnitched, and the soldiers drew over the wagons bv mam 



strength, unassisted by horse pow 



er. 



*So called from the Haw trees abounding in the vicinage of these cre<?k.* 



oh. 7.] author's journal. 155 

Concerted movement upon Spring Garden. 

On these trying occasions, it was truly gratifying to wit- 
ness the energy and alacrity alike of officers and privates, 
the latter of whom were encumbered by their armour, knap- 
sacks, fifty rounds of ball cartridges, and three days' provi- 
sions in the haversacks of many, while the rest suffered from 
not providing the requisite rations. 

In what bright contrast with this recent wretched 
route, does Volusia stand! The fine stockade erected by 
Capt. Elmore's Columbia Volunteers,* is on one eminence, 
and our camp on another, with a clear rivulet watering the 
intervening vale. The broad bosom of the St. John's, with 
its profound repose, as it seems to sleep at the base of a far 
reaching hill — the varied verdure of the surrounding scene- 
ry — the tree tops, as bent by the air over the river, they 
cast, on the liquid surface, shadows which appear like islands 
in a sunny lake — all conspire to render this one of the most 
romantic spots we have yet visited. 

March 19th.— Col. Butler, Col. Brisbane, and Capt. El- 
more, this day make a concerted movement upon Spring 
Garden, with a portion of their respective forces. Col. 
Brisbane and staff, with the infantry, start at 3 o'clock A, 
M. by land — Captains Elmore and Henry having proceed- 
ed by boat. Col. Butler, with the mounted men, leaves 
some hours after us, overtakes us in the course of the day, 
aud we arrive together at Spring Garden. On our way 
thither, we pass the bones of the late Mr. Henry Woodruff, 
and are the first whites who travel the road since this mur- 
der by the Indians. What a lamentable fate was his! the 
bones bleeching in the wilderness — but let us not lift the 
veil which solitude throws over the sad event. We intend, 
on our return, to pay the last sad tribute to humanity, by de- 
cently interring the few remains of the unfortunate Wood- 
ruff. The rites of sepulture at least should be performed^ 



*In compliment to whom, it has been called fort Columbia, but is also 
known as fort Barnwell, Capt Allen's company from that district having 
subsequently occupied it. 

tit will be perceived that we repassed too late at night to execute this in- 
tention, which was subsequently accomplished by the humane hands of 
others. 



156 



author's journal. 



[ch. 7. 



The Indians fly at our approach. 

Immediately on our arrival at Spring Garden, we are 
sent out to scour the country in different directions, as re- 
cent Indian tracks are, at once, obvious. The main body 
invest the country centrally, while I, with Lieut. Holmes, 
and a party, am directed by Col. Brisbane to occupy the 
river bank on the right, and a detachment skirts the left. 
The mounted men endeavor to surround the hammock, and 
cut off the enemy's retreat. I proceed but a few paces 
towards the post assigned me, when I discover the fresh 
print of the heel Jess mocasin. Pursuing it, I am conduct- 
ed to a potato-patch, where the soil is freshly turned up, 
and the potatos still strewing the field. Continuing the 
trail, I next come across a spot where the earth has been 
levelled and smoothed for the plain purpose of repose, and 
there behold the impression of the human form extended. 
Following it up, I find recent fires, and moss collected 
around, with traces of cattle. The path thence leads to the 
thick sugar cane, which is beat up by Lieut. Holmes and 
some of the men, with gallantry and promptitude, for we 
believe the foe concealed there, though in numbers unascer- 
tainable. Traversing the cane growth to the water's edge, 
I find an Indian "dug out" fastened to a tree on the bank of 
the stream, with the paddles still wet. In this boat I per. 
ceive two piles of the potatos carefully packed, and by the 
side of the canoe, a parcel of sugar cane trimly dipt/ as if 
ready to be put in by the Indians, who were compelled to 
leave all and fly to ambush. To close this rather minute 
detail of a small affair, I briefly state that I send the canoe 
to the point where our own boats are landed, and its con- 
tents prove an acceptable prize to our men. When at 
the water's edge, two Indians are seen on the other side, 
and while the "dug out" is being brought round, another is 
observed to enter the hammock. Thereupon, Col. B. di- 
rects Capt. Ashby's company to enter and take him alive 
— the former they accomplish, the latter they essay in vain. 

A portion of the party sent into the other hammock, 
discover a number of tracks of grown persons and 
children, terminating in a distant trail. This they fol- 
low, and find six or more palmetto Indian huts. Where- 
upon Gen. Shelton, Dr. Strobel, Captains Henry and El- 



157 



author's journal. 



[ch. 7. 



Return to Volusia, and find Gen. Eustis there. 

more, with one of the Irish Volunteers, (name not remem- 
bered) determine to carry the lodge by assault. Expect- 
ing to surprize the tenants of these wigwams, they cock 
their double barrelled guns, and rush in upon them. The 
nest is warm, but the bird has jloicn. The fires are yet 
burning, but the Indians stay not by them, to take off the chill 
which our arrival creates. The palmettos are still green, 
the cane freshly cut, and portions of garments scattered 
around. Such is the fortune of war, often a game of chance! 
Here are five gentlemen charging, as they believe, on as 
many times their number, whom, had they found, the gal- 
lantry of the attack would be trumpeted to the world. They 
do not find them, and the intrepidity of this assault (equally 
great, whether Indians were there or not, as they thought 
them there) passes unnoticed. With the. multitude, success 
is too often the standard of merit. 

Col. Butler and the mounted men then leave us for To- 
moka, and we return to this place at 9 o'clock to-night, 
having been on our feet, with but brief intermissions, since 
3 A. M. Here we learn that Gen. Eustis and staff have 
arrived during our absence, but the operations of the Left 
Wing under his command, must form the subject of the fol- 
lowing chapters.* 



♦Spring Garden is a beautiful spot, with as good land as can be wished 
for. The Spring yields twenty-thousand hogsheads of water in an hour, as 
clear as crystal, but of a brackish taste, and impregnated with sulphur. 
The bank descends precipitately, and the force of the water turns a wheel 
which communicates wiih the sugar works, and supersedes the necessity of 
steam power. 

14 



CHAPTER VIII. 



THE AUTHOR'S JOURNAL VOLUSIA TO TA3IPA. 

[Operations of the Left Wing— Ashby's and Fnpp's companies cross the 
St. John's— are attacked by the enemy— We move upon Pilaklikaha— 
bridge the Ocklewahaw and pass over— Gen. Shelton and Ya-ha-Hajo— 
Battle of Okihnmpki— Burning of Miconope's town— arrive at the scene 
of Dade's massacre— cross the Ouithlaccochee— touch at fort Alabama 
on the Hillsboro'— proceed to Camp Shelton— Gen. Bull, with Col. Bris- 
bane's Regiment, and 3Iajor Kirby's Lattalion, remains there— Gen. Eus- 
tis, with Col. Goodwyn's mounted Regiment, proceeds to Tampa.] 



"Stat pro ratione— Voluntas ." 

Stop for rations — Volunteers. 
[The Author's new and free translation of an old and slavish maxim.] 



Volusia, East of the St. John's, March 21*/.— The Left 
Wing is now concentrated at this place preparatory to their 
movement upon the Ouithlacoochee, towards which the 
Right Wing and Centre are also marching. These advan- 
ces are in obedience to the orders of Major General Scott, 
commanding the Army of Florida, whose plan of the cam- 
paign is briefly as follows. The enemy, if concentrated at 
all, is supposed to be still in ihe cove of the Ouithlacoochee, 
at or near which he attacked Generals Clinch and Gaines. 
General Scott's Army is in three divisions, of which the 
Right Wing, consisting of Georgians, Louisianians and Reg- 
ulars, commanded by Gen. Clinch, is to advance from Fort 
Drane upon the Ouithlacoochee, at Gen. Gaines' old posi- 
tion. Gen. Eustis, with the Carolinians, and Major Kir- 
by's Battalion, composing the Left Wing, (but by this op- 
eration actually in the centre) after having previously scour- 
ed the Tomoka country, is to advance West from Volusia 
upon Okihumpky and Pilaklikaha. Col. Lindsay, with 
the Alabama troops, constituting the centre, is to move 
from Tampa upon the Chicuchatty settlements, and having 
examined that country, to remain in position for a concer- 
ted movement with the other divisions. Signal guns are 



CH. 8,] 



author's journal. 



159 



Gen. Scott's plan of the campaign in 1836. 

to be fired at 10 o'clock each day from each wing, and as 
soon as the respective forces reach their destinations 
on the Ouithlacoochee, at Pilaklikaha, and at Chicuchatty, 
they are to advance simultaneously, concentrating towards 
the Ouithlacoochee, in the swamp or cove of which, it is 
expected that the enemy will be enclosed and conquered. 
If he escape, he is to be pursued to the everglades. 

The following list of the Officers composing the Left 
Wing, is as accurate as I am able to render it. 

GENERAL STAFF. 
Abraham. Eustis, Brigadier General 1st Artillery, com- 
manding L. W. A. F.; J. H. Prentiss,* 2d Lieut, and Adj. 
1st Artillery, Aid-de-camp Adj. General; J. E. B. Finley, 
Aid-de-camp; W. L. Wharton, Sen, Asst. Surgeon U. S. 
A.; A. Canfield, Capt. Top. Eng. and Asst. Insp. Gen,; 
W. H. Betts, Bt. 2d Lieut. 1st Regt. Art. H. A. A. C. 
Subsistence. 

W. H. Bull, Brigadier General; W. E. Martin, Aid- 
de-camp; M. Z. Bonham, Brigade Major, vice W. F. 
Davie, resigned; R. J. Brownfield, Brigade Quarter Mas- 
ter. 

ELMORE'S COMPANY COLUMBIA VOLUN'TRS, 
B. F. Elmore Capt. commanding; J. Douglas, 1st Lieut.; 
J. Hemphill, 2d do.; T. P. Cooper, 2d do.; E. Friday, 
Ensign; Starke, Surgeon. 

BRISBANE'S REGIMENT. 

A. H. Brisbane, Col. commanding; J. Huiet, Lieut. Col.; 
N. G. Walker, Major; A. G. Magrath, Adjutant; A. P. 
Aldrich, Regt. Qr. M.; B. B. Strobel, Surgeon; L. J. 
Trotti, Asst. Surgeon; Wm. Graham, Acting Asst. Sur- 
geon; T. R. Aldrich, Paymaster; M. M. Cohen, comm'ng. 
Pioneers; E. Carroll, Asst. Q. M. Dept.; G. S. Bryan, 
Acting do.; L. M. Hatch, Commissary; — Pearson, do.; 
T. Russell, do; — Sumter, Sergeant Major. 



*To the kind courtesy of this admirable and unexceptionable officer and 
gentleman, I feel deeply indebted for access to official documents, which 
he afforded with the utmost urbanity and promptitude. 



author's journal. [ch. 8. 

List of Officers of Left Wing continued 

Captains. — P. Quattlebaum, George Henry, P. M. Dou- 
cin, T. S. Hibbler, D. Denny, J. D. Allen, T. J. Fripp, T. 
Parker, J. Jones, J. A. Ashby. 

1st Lieutenants. — D. Austin, T. Rvan, W. W. Smith. 
P. Brunson, J. Shambert, J. M. Hutto,~C. B. Capers, P. F. 
Morange, E. Simpkins, J. B. M'Michael. 

2d Lieutenants.—}!. Drafts, E. Henry, H. Pinckney, J. 
Yeldell, W.S. Abney, J. J. Ryan, W. M. Calhoun, J. Penn, 
H. L. Toomer, E. W. Holmes, J. P. Pillans. 

Ensigns. — B. Poindexter, J. Dougherty, J. Malphus, G. 
Holloway, J. Johns, A. M. O'Dom, D. D. Bacot, J. Du- 
bose, G. W. Wimbush, Gough Simmons. 

GOODVVYN'S REGIMENT. 
R. PI. Goodwyn, Col. commanding; P. M. Butler, Lieut. 
Col.; R. F. Simpson, Major; H. Maxcy, Adjutant; J. E. 
Nott, Surgeon; A. G. Nagle, Asst. do.; W. C. Percival, 
do. do.; G. Ker, Reg. Q. M. promoted to Q. M. Gen. Left 
Win^; J. S. Cohen, Paymaster; Nettles, Commis- 

sary. 

Captains. — R. Child, A. C. Jones, D. Smith, J. Chesnut, 
S. R. Gibson, J. J. Pickens, T. Dubose, J. Mathes, J. Whit- 
more, S. C. Hargrove. 

1st Lieutenants.— W. B. Arnold, H. Saxon, W. A. M'- 
Right, B. Boykin, L. Secrest, P. R. Shaw, M. C. S P ann, 
S. Fair, A. C. Grazier, J. T. Sims. 

2d Lieutenants. — W. R. Swain, J. Campbell. T. S. Sitt, 
J. J. Mickle, C. Humphries, E. Major, D. E. M 'Cloud, D. 
P. Warters, W. Darby, J. L. Lyles. 

Ensigns. — D. Bradley, C. Manning, H. B. Robertson, L. 
P. Patterson, T. C. Massey, D. Howell, J. B. Douglass, J. 
Cook, M. R. Pooser,, Robert Dugan. 

MAJOR KIRBY'S BATTALION 1ST REGT. ART. 
R. M. Kirby, commanding. 

Captains.— G. Porter, company A; D. Van Ness, com- 
pany H. 

1st Lieutenants.—] . R. Irwin, company A; and G. Nau- 
man, company G. 

2d Lieuteuants.—G. W. Turner, company E; George 



CH. 8.] 



author's journal. 



161 



The Indians attack Captains Fripp's and Ashby's companies. 

Watson, comp. G; R. F. P. Allen, comp. H; Alfred Her- 
bert, comp. G; A. V. Brumby, comp. E, acting Adjutant. 

The following officers of the 1st Regiment Artillery, 
were stationed as below stated. 

H. Saunders, Captain and Brevet Major, E, absent with 
leave. 

1st Lieutenants. — C. Dimmock, E, absent A. Q. M.; W. 
A. Barry, E, do. do.; J. F. Kennedy, H, absent A. Ord. 
office at Augustine; L. B. Webster, A, do. A. A. Q. M. at 
Augustine; J. Williamson, H. absent on ord. duty; J. 
Green, G, do. A. C. S. at fort Monroe; J. Amnion, E, do. 
Military Academy; L. A. B. Walbach, A, Engr. duty. 

Camp * Preston, March 22d. — Gen. Eustis issuing an or- 
der early this morning for the troops to commence cross- 
ing the St. John's, the companies of Captains Fripp and 
Ashby pass over and take post about one hundred yards 
from the western landing. While bivouacked there, and 
engaged in various fatigue duties— the arms of all but the 
guard being stacked— they are fired upon by fifty or more 
Indians, who creep up and conceal themselves in the sur- 
rounding hammock and scrub. They approach within 
twenty-five or thirty yards of the sentinel, before they are 
discovered. Upon hearing the never to be mistaken sound 
of the Indian rifle, I rush out and perceive Col. Brisbane 
dashing towards the river. I follow; and Captains Henry 
and Hibler's companies commencing to cross in the larger 
boat, the Colonel, w ; th a portion of the staff, enters a small 
"dug out," and all push over. Upon landing, the fire is 
very general, and at great disadvantage on the side of our 
troops, who are much exposed. The companies of Cap- 
tains Fripp and Ashby are engaged with the enemy, who, 
upon the arrival of Captains Henry and Hibler, with their 
commands, (the earliest on the battle field after crossing) 
begins to give way, and is finally beaten back. Most of 
our regiment, and two of the U. S. companies under Capt. 
Porter; and Lieut. Irvin, all commanded by Gen. Bull, are 



*I have named this Camp after one of the U. S. Senators Irom S. Caroli- 
na; another encampment, formerly occupied by Lt. Col. Huiet, near Au- 
gustine, being called Camp Calhoun. 
14* 



162 



author's journal. 



[ch. 8. 



Killed and Wounded in the battle of the St. John's. 

conveyed by steamboat two or three hundred yards above the 
place of attack, in order to intercept the flight of ihefoe North- 
wardly. Two companies of Col. Goodwyn's mounted men 
cross in flats, to cut off his retreat South and West — the St. 
John's hemming him in on the East. All of the troops 
then scour the woods, but in vain. To show the face of 
the country, the following fact is stated. After the forces 
under Gen. Bull land on the Western bank of the river, 
they penetrate a thick hammock in that direction, and when 
the foremost company emerges, it is ordered to re-enter the 
hammock. South of the point whence they issued, and charge 
it Eastwardly. While thus proceeding, the next company, 
traversing the trail that the first had just pursued, plainly 
hearing but dimly seeing, mistake the former for the ene- 
my, fire upon and wound privates Fielding and Todd. Some 
of the men, under the same error, return the fire. The 
truth is then discovered, and the cry heard, "Great God! 
our troops are shooting our own men for Indians." 

The loss on our part, is as follows: in Capt. Ashby's 
company, Sergeant Austin, privates Weymier and Hunker- 
piller, killed, and James Cook wounded severely. Sergeant 
Grose and privates Blocker, Simons, Flowers, Black and 
Getsinger, are the wounded in Capt. Fripp's command. 

March 23d.— We slept last night in the open air and un- 
der arms, having a strong guard, but the Indians reappear- 
ed not. Such of the troops as did not come over yester- 
day, are now crossing. As always happens to soldiers 
when they have to leave their tents, we had bad weather, 
but it has cleared up finely. That gay gallant, the sun, 
who dallies with all he meets, at his approach puts aside the 
sable mantle of clouds from the face of nature, like a bride- 
groom lifting the virgin veil, as he tenders the first kiss of 
wedded love. 

The companies of Ashby and Fripp bring in the body of 
one of the Indians, and find that they dragged five of their 
gang to the river and threw them in. They are trailed in 
another direction, and a great effusion of blood is seen; in- 
deed, the galls and palmettos are dabbled with Indian gore. 



CH . s.] author's journal. . 163 

Euchee Billy, or Billy Hicks, described. 



Doubtless, the enemy's loss is greater than we^are aware of, 
but the dense orrowtu conceals his killed, if leu on the rield, 
which he never does it it be possible to prevent it.* The 
Indian corpse brought ia. is supposed to be that 01 rvjcnee 
Billy, or King Billy .lis he is otherwise called, late chie£af 
the small remnant of that tribe occupying the country near 
Spring Gardens. He is one of the most elegantly tormed 
men I have ever beheld — chest broad and n:ga ? i-s and an- 
cle beautifully rounded, the muscles being greatly developed 
by constant exercise. His arms, though well ta rned, ^ 
small in comparison with his lower limbs, as would be tne 
case with one who lived by the severe use oi the latter, ra- 
ther than of the former. H:s hands are tne sm *Lest 1 nave 
ever seen in our sex, small to a fault.f His cheek bones 
are prominent, mouth wide, and shaped like that of a cat- 
fish. His eves and hair are black, the latter being clipped 
at the sides, "but left like a fowl's comb on tne top ot his 
head. Billy is regularly marked with hues from the ancle 
to the hip. " These scars are produced by scraping with 
the sharp teeth of the garr fish.J Tins the Indians do ei- 
ther to relieve themselves when sick, or to remove the sore- 
ness of the muscles arising from excess.ve exercse in the 
chase, ball play or travel.Tney not uafrequent;}" walk from 
forty Vj sixty 'miles a day. One was s?nt by an officer, 
with a letter," a distance of forty miles^ and returned with an 
answer the next day. When greatly fat gned. tne_ fcemi- 
nole sits by the side" of a stream, scrapes himself with tne 
garr fish teeth, and by a sort of local depletion, sootnes the 
soreness of the muscles. When he has drawn a sufficien- 
cy of blood to effect that purpose, he bathes the limb in the 
cool water of the stream, to arrest the hemorrhage, and re- 

*The vultures were subsequently seen to hover in docks over the vie in- 
aze, a sure indication of the presence of dead bodies. , 
"-Lord Byron thought small hands the certain token of nobility, and nhis 
id, una: a patrician was Euchee Billy. 
jThisis thaereat brown spotted gprr, found in th. inland waters ^ 
lakes It is clothed in an almost impenetrable coat oi man. and preys upon 
oth'r nsh. When tally grown, it is irorn nve to six 

n-ODortion. and is ofadaskv color. spot:ed with bJaci. , Tne aeminole 
rnadeuse of their pointed scales to arm his arrow, beiore that weapoa 
fell into disuse. 



author's JOURNAL. [ch. S. 

Two Indians killed and one wounded. 

sumes his journey, which I must leave him to pursue alone, 
as I may have already wandered too far from our own 
route. 

March 2±tlu— As the transport is deficatum. and the face 
of the country renders travel difficult, but three tents are 
allowed to a company, and one camp kettle to every 
twelve men. The order adds, that "the time of vigorous 
action has at length arrived, and it is believed that a few 
days of patient submission will terminate the campaign." 
Nous verrons! 

Yesterday, a Lieutenant and twenty-seven mounted men, 
with a guide or two. were sent in quest of Col. Butler and 
his command, who have not yet returned from their visit to 
Tomoka. As they took with them but little provisions, 
great anxiety is felt by us on this account, and our igno- 
rance of the cause that delays them, renders us solicitous 
for their safety. Besides which, Gen. Eustis is said to be 
only waiting for them, and sufficient guides, in order to push 
on towards the point whereat he is "directed by Gen. Scott 
to take position on the 25th. The detachment of twenty- 
seven had orders to proceed as far as New Smyrna, if thev 
did not previously meet Col. Butler's command. On their 
way, some six miles from Volusia, they fell in with about 
sixteen Indians, in an open pine barren, far removed from 
any thicket. They attacked the Indians, kill two, and 
wounded another, when the Lieutenant commanding order- 
ed a retreat for a reinforcement. Every man m the de- 
tachment behaved admirably, and the whole party of sava- 
ges might have been taken or cut up, but for the ill-timed 
prudence of the officer. The following is an extract from 
an order issued this day from head quarters: 

"The General (Eustis) is happy to announce, that in the 
encounter with the enemy on the 22d, the two companies 
attacked, (Ashby's and Fripp's) maintained their ground 
with great gallantry and steadiness, and that upon the ad- 
vance of Col. Brisbane with Henry's and Hibbler's companies 
to their support, the savages were instantlv routed, and put 
to flight, with very considerable loss. 



CH. 8.] 



author's journal. 



165 



Anxiety of the Captains to move on the Indian reserve. 

"Captains Allen's and Quattlebaurn's companies will re- 
main at Volusia, under Major Gates." 

Maj. Gates had arrived herefrom Picolata, which he left on 
the 23d Inst. Lt. Pettes is to act as Commissary, and Dr. Ber- 
ry as Surgeon to the troops stationed at Volusia. The second 
company mentioned in the foregoing order, remain because of 
sickness, and the first from lot. Col. Brisbane had been re- 
quired to furnish one of his most efficient companies to guard 
this post, where valuable stores and many sick were to be 
left. Coi. B. knows that all are efficient, and none willing 
to remain, each being anxious to encounter the foe, the 
chance of which they deem greater by proceeding farther 
into "the Indian reservation."* 

Our Colonel cannot find it in his heart to nominate any 
corps to be left, and proposes to determine by lot what 
they regard as the hard fate of one of them. 

I had seen, in the ugly Greek letters of Homer's beauti- 
ful Iliad, how Minerva, fearing for the Grecians, had agreed 
with Apollo to put off the general engagement for that day, 
by inviting Hector to challenge them to single combat, and 
nine of the Princes accepting the challenge, the lot is cast, 
and falls upon Ajax, "which mine eyne have redde, when 
birchen were a lessonne of the schoole of nigh applyance. 
I doe note it well, I' faith by that token." 

But in the case of our regiment, though there are nine to 
draw, yet it is to decide not who shall go out to combat, but 
who is to be excluded therefrom (as they suppose.) Never 
shall I forget the deep interest felt, and the strong solici- 
tude vividly depicted on each countenance as they ap- 
proach, what in the instance of Ajax was the classic helmet, 
but now is, the forage-cap, containing their fates. The 
Captains most desirous of proceeding with the main body, 
(if the wish of a part can be strongest, where that of the whole 
is so powerful) are loudest and oftenest in pre-declaring, 
each his certain conviction, that the dreaded doom will be 
his. Their names are read out seriatim: slowly and so- 
lemnly, as if to a sacrifice, they advance, and tremulous 
with anxiety, draw forth their respective lots. It falls on 

*An erroneous supposition, as manifested by events subsequently de- 
tailed, 



166 author's JOURNAL. [ch. 8 

Weary Nature gapes, and the Ocklewahaw is thereby formed. 

Capt. Allen to remain, who, dashing down the paper on 
which it is inscribed, and trampling it under foot, retires a 
few -paces, and gives vent to feelings which he cannot re- 
strain— the manly, though mournful emotions of a gallant 
spirit, eager for the fight. 

Camp Butler, March 29th.— At 4 o'clock, P. M. on the 
26th we began our march. Col. Butler and his command 
having previously arrived. We made but two miles before 
it became dark enough for us to halt for the night, at a place 
which I call Camp Goodwyn, this being the first move 
since the foot united with the mounted men, and their very 
worthy and much esteemed Colonel. 

On the 26th, we traverse a wretched trail through gall 
and scrub, and proceed but seven miles, when, having" an 
arduous march in anticipation, and finding a favorable 
camping ground, we there pitch our tents on a spot which I 
name Camp Huiet, in deserved compliment to our Lieut. 
Colonel. On the 28th, we made thirteen miles, and halted 
at Camp Walker, as I style it, after our amiable good 
Major. 

To-day we move eight miles, and arrive at the Ocklewa- 
haw. Nature, in her sternest mood, has been darkly frown- 
ing upon the past scenery, but just here she renounces her 
tristful mien, and assuming a gayer, gentler aspect, smiles 
upon the surrounding prospect. Nay, she not only smiles, 
but gapes prodigiously, (we speak in no irreverent spirit 
of dame Nature) as if weary of her previous gloomy work. 
Alas! this gape makes us weary of our labours, for just 
where it occurs, there is a hiatus in the land-, and the waters 
rushing m from the lakes, form the Ocklewahaw river. It 
is now higher than formerly, and we are detained to throw 
a bridge across it, for the foot and wagons, though the 
mounted men swim it. We commence about meridian, and 
finish our work at near dark, but the passage of the entire 
transport is not effected 'till after midnight, "The ordnance 
and heavy carriages sinking the bridge somewhat at the 
centre, the water overflows at that point, and the lateral 
timber getting out of position, renders the footing for the 
teams too hazardous. They are accordingly unhitched, and 



GH. 8.] 



author's journal. 



167 



Gallant charge of Gen. Shelton. 

led along, and a portion of the wagons, with their contents 
hauled over by the men with the drag and prolonge ropes. 
After midnight, some of the transport has to be unladen, 
and the baggage carried over on the backs of the soldiery. 
Thus it was exceedingly late ere the foot joined the mount- 
ed men, at our present encampment, which is about a mile, 
south of the river. 

Soon after we reach the Ocklewahah, two fires are dis- 
covered, on the opposite side of a lake, which are kindled 
while we are bridging. We conjecture they are signal 
lights from one party of Indians to another, and Col. Butler 
with his command crosses to ascertain the fact. Upon 
their proceeding three or four miles, four savages are discov- 
ered and pursued by the advance guard. Gen. Joseph 
Shelton gallantly dashes ahead and charges upon one of 
the enemy, within twenty-five steps of whom the General 
levels his gun. The Indian abouts face and aims his rifle at 
Gen. S. who fires earliest and puts a ball in the Semi- 
nole's neck. Finding no cap on the nipple (or chimney) 
of the undischarged gunbarrel, Gen. Shelton drops the gun, 
and draws a pistol, approaches within five or six feet of the 
savage, presents the weapon at his breast, and it snaps! 
Thereupon the Indian brings his rifle to his shoulder, and 
shoots the General in the hip. At that instant Mr. Barclay 
Gibson, of the Fairfield mounted men, who had rapidly gal- 
loped up, discharges his musket load in the back of the foe 
who is thrown on his knees by the shot of Gen. S., essays 
to reload in that position, and dies game. Were General 
Shelton a private, his noble daring on this occasion would 
richly entitle him to rapid promotion, but he is already a full 
Brigadier General at home. After waiting to ascertain if 
his regiment would be called to Florida and finding they are 
not, he magnanimously waves his rank and attaches himself 
to the volunteers from his State (South-Carolina,) as a 
mere individual — an amateur of glory, and friend to bleeding 
humanity. 

This patriotic alacrity to encounter the duties and dan- 
gers of the toilsome, hard, and hazardous campaign, confers 
high and ever-during honor on the name of Shelton. May 
time, that can never obliterate the recollection of his worth 



168 



author's journal. 



[ch. 8. 



Ya-Ha-Hadgo, or the mad wolf — Scalps. 

and valour heal his wound even to the effacing of its cica- 
trice.* 

Our present camp (Butler) I have called after one of the 
noblest spirits in the whole Army — the very model of a per- 
feet gentleman, patriot, and soldier. ' 

Camp Kirby, March 30. — This day's progress is about 15 
miles. Soon after taking up the line of march we meet the 
corpse of the Indian killed yesterday during the rencontre 
with Gen. Shetton. He is distinctly recognized as Ya Ha 
Hajo (or Hadgo)j- the crazy wolf* There are a few lod- 
ges adjacent t 0 the spot on which he was slain, whence the 
Indians fled and our men captured a rifle, moccasins, pow- 
der pouch, hunting shirt, shawl, and the like, among other 
things, forty or fifty scalps. How complex the emotions 
wherewith I gaze upon my handfull of small pine sticks, 
each having at its termination a natural tassel, and a por- 
tion of the human scalp cut into flag forms. Some of the 
locks are of the most elegant hue, and softest, finest texture. 
Their surpassing beauty impresses the belief that they must 
have originally crowned the loveliness of fair and gentle 
woman. As I hold them up to view, the sunbeams are 
struggling with these yellow, glossy tresses, as if in corri- 
valry of their golden tints, and silken shine, to which the 
light but adds. My mind gathers up busy, vague conjec- 
tures, of the history of these scalps, and the sad events it, 
doubtless, would reveal. The sufferers were evidently of 
the softer sex! Were they maidens? Youthful brides? Mo- 
thers? Fancy rapidly calls up images which the feeling 
mind will readily, conceive, though I depict not; but which 



* The merit of such generous renunciation of a superior, for a humbler 
post is participated by others. Captain Broom came to Florida to take 
charge of his company, which through a few days retardation of his arrival, 
he finds already officered, and enters as a private in Capt. Allen's Barnwell 
Volunteers. Lieut. Col. Huietand Major Walker of Brisbane's Regiment 
are both full Colonels in commission in South-Carolina. Colonel Walker 
came as a private, in Capt. Cunningham's Hamburg Volunteers, to the 
defence of Augustine, and while there, unexpectedly received from Gov. 
McDuffie the appointment of Major to the 1st Regiment of South-Carolina 
Volunteers. Col. Simkins acts as lieutenant, and Major Bacon as a private 
in Capt. Jones' Edgefield Bhies 

tSee his signature to the Treaty, ante \ . 54. 



CH. 8.] 



author's journal. 



169 



Phrenological examination of the skulls of two Indians. 

the callous could not embody, though I were to pourtray 
them ever so fully. I proceed, therefore, from conjecture, 
of what may have been, to description of that which is. 
These tasselled sticks from which the scalps depend, are 
triumphantly flourished by the Indians in their dances, and 
at feasts! 

With regard to Ya Ha Hadgo, he was the Chief of the 
Ocklawahaw tribe, numbering about fifty, and bears in the 
darkness of his complexion the evidence of his people's de- 
scent from the Yemasses.* He was considered one of the 
best hunters in Florida, and his fine form admirably adap- 
ted him for success in the venatic life. It is too similar to 
that of Euchee Billyf to need description. Hadgo 's feet 
have the hollow sole and high instep common to Indians, 
and are the best shaped I have ever seen, except that they 
are too small for just proportion. His nose is completely 
Roman; of his eyes I cannot speak; on them the vultures 
have already done their work, and left only the empty sock- 
ets. We abandon him to the awful fate he has merited, 
(unredeemed even by his valor) to be hawked at by the 
kites, his flesh gnawed by the wolves, and his bones c ranch- 
ed by the bears. 

The following are deductions drawn from a deliberate 
examination of the skulls ©f Ya Ha Hadgo (No. 1) and 
Euchee Billy (No. 2.) 

They are smaller than the medium size of European 
skulls, their facial angle is also less, and cheek bones more 
prominent, but it would be difficult from the examination of 
only two specimens, to assign to the race their station. 
Virey, who has divided the human species into two classes, 
(in the first of which the facial angle ranges from 85 to 90 
degrees, and which comprises three races, the white, the 
swarthy, and the copper colored) places the American In- 
dian in the last, immediately after Laplanders, and below 
the Chinese and Mongul Calmucs, but in a higher scale than 
the Malays, CafTres, Hottentots and Negroes. 

Cuvier, who has established three races of the human 
species, appears doubtful to which they should be referred; 



*See ante p. 81. 
15 



tSee ante p. 163, 



170 



author's journal. 



Analysis of the Skulls, 

in the colour of their skins and hair, and their scanty beard 
resembling the Monguls, they closely approach the Euro- 
pean in their well defined features/ projecting nose, and 
large eyes. 

As a nation, the place assigned to the American Indians 
by Virey. we believe to be the most correct; but, as Des- 
moulins observes, they may be subdivided into many tribes, 
each distinguished by characteristic traits of features, dif- 
ferent language, color and form — as it is veil known that 
they readily distinguish one from another tribe. 

The head of No. 1 (Ya Ha Hadgo) presents many inter- 
esting points in a phrenological view. The following care- 
ful analysis will show the relative size of the several organs. 



SKULL No. 1.— (YA HA HAJO.) 


AFFECTIVE FACULTIES. 


VERY LARGE. | LARGE. | MODERATE. 


S H ALL. 


PROPENSITIES. 


Destructiveness. lAdtesaveness. Philoprogen'ness 
Combativeness. lAmativeness. 
Acquisitiveness. Inhabuiveness. 
Secretiveness. j ICoDstractrveness. 


Desire to live 
Alimen'ness 


SENTIMENTS. 


Cautiousness. 
Firmness. 


ApproV at'iiess M.r::::u.iiess. 
Sell-Esteem. CoLiscient'ness. 
Imitation. Marvelousness. 

Hope.'' 1 Benevolence. 




INTELLECTUAL 
FACULTIES. 

PERCEPTIVE FACULTIES 


Eventuality. 
Locality. ' 






Colour. 
Order. 
Calculauon. 
Tune. 


REFLECTIVE FACULTIES 






SKULL No. 2.— (EUCHEE BILLY OH KING WILLIAM; 


AFFECTIVE FACULTIES. | VERY LARGE. | LARGE. | MODERATE. | SMALL. 


PROPENSITIES. 


Acquisitiveness. Ilnhabitiveness. 
Secretiveness Combat 'ness. Desire to Live. 
Destructiveness. [Amitiveness | Aliment iveuess. 




SENTIMENTS. 


Firmness. | Hope. " 

Aprrc'.ativeness. Cautiousness. iBenevolenee, 

Self-Esteem. [Reverence. |Conscient*ness. IMirtbfulness 


FACULTIES. 
PERCEPTIVE FACULTIES 


Locality. 
Individuality. 


Configuration. 


[Colour. 

Order. 
(Calculation. 

Time. 

Size. |Tnne 


REFLECTIVE FACULTIES | . • . . . • .. 



ch. 8.] author's journal. 171 

Cols. Butler ancf Goodwyn ordered to reconnoitre Pilaklikaha. 

2\o. 1. — Exceedingly circumspect in all his actions, he 
must have been remarkable for persevering in every un- 
dertaking on which he had determined, how cruel sover 
the means. His cunning and courage ably fitted him for 
the station he is supposed to have held among his country, 
men; acquisitiveness, although very large, would not from 
its relative size have formed a prominent feature in his 
character. His eloquence must have been of the persua- 
sive, and his images not wanting in boldness — his attach- 
ments must have"" been firm. The recollection of events 
and places is strongly marked in this skull, but the reflec- 
tive organs are small. Grave in his demeanor, moderate 
mirthfulness, large love of approbation. 

No. 2, Eucfiee Billy. — Very prone to thieving — more 
remarkable for cunning and cruelty than for courage, his 
designs not so well matured as in No. 1; he would be alike 
distinguished for perseverance in their execution. There 
is a mixture of self-conceit and vanity combined in this 
character, which it is difficult to define, both organs being 
prominent — recollection of places and events very remark- 
able, ably fitting him for his wandering life. 

Cols. Butler and Goodwyn, with the mounted men, are 
sent forward to reconnoitre the vicinity of Pilaklikaha. On 
their route thither, and five or six miles from our last night's 
encampment, their advance guard is shot at, from a ham- 
mock on their left, by about fifty Indians, who keep up a 
brisk fire. Sergt. Nicholas Summer, of Capt. Hargrove's 
company, from Newberry, has his leg broken: and private 
Wm. Jackson, of Capt. Picken's corps, from Anderson, re- 
ceives a rifle ball in the thigh. Four horses are wounded 
and one killed under his rider. 

While these events are happening, the foot are several 
miles in rear, but on hearing the discharge of musketry, 
they push up. Their advance, consisting of Capts. Par- 
ker's and Denny's companies, march up in "double quick," 
as also Major Kirby, with companies A. G. E. and H. of 
the 1st Regt. Art. (U. S.) and Capt. Elmore's Columbia 
volunteers. On their arrival at the mounted men's recent 
scene of action, they are drawn up in battle array, under 



172 



author's journal. 



[ch. 8. 



Battle of Okihumpki. 

the immediate direction of Gen. Eustis, who orders them to 
charge the hammock and rout the enemy. His command 
is promptly obeyed, in that fine spirit which induces Lt. Jas. 
Irwin to exclaim, before entering the woods, to company E. 
which he headed, "Now, my fine fellows, act like men, and 
donH let me see one clean bayonet when you come out of the 
hammock." _ And he, with the other gallant officers, would 
have led their companies near enough to the foe, to dye 
every bayonet in the blood of the red men, but the Indians, 
as if with a felicitous prescience, kept almost out of gun- 
shot. The companies of Capts. Parker, Denny, Porter, Van 
Ness, and Lts. Irwin and Nauman, all commanded by Maj. 
Kirby, valiantly charge the hammocks, wade the swamps, 
and repulse the enemy from wood to water, and from water 
to wood, under a heavy pouring of balls, and after a long 
forced march to arrive on the battle field. 

The Indians are discovered sitting round a fire, in an old 
field, beyond the first hammock. With them are evidently 
blacks, for I discern one with my naked eye, and designate 
him to Gen. E. who confirms my impression, that he is a 
negro. 

Great anxiety is felt on account of those who enter the 
hammocks; for the actual firing lasts at least forty minutes. 
Such is the computation of Gen. E, and Capt. C. in my 
presence, at the time, on the spot. The former declares 
there is firing enough to kill 500 men, and exclaims with 
much feeling, "Now I begin to fear !" The Gen. is eagerly- 
asked, what he is afraid of? and replies, "for the fate of our 
men! Poor fe!lows! 1 fear* they are badly hurt, and we 
shall have a sad report of them." Thereupon he despatched 
Surgeons Nott, Starke, and Trotti, to see to and succour the 
wounded. Dr. Wharton comes up soon after, and relieves 
him, by stating that only one of our men is wounded — a 
private in Major Kirby's command. This U. S. soldier is 
struck in the cheek by a rifle ball, which entered the stomach. 



*The only kind of fear Gen. E. ever entertains, is this fear for others. 
The above remarks, in my hearing, convince me that notwithstanding all 
his harshness of manner, and apparent coldness, his heart melts at the 
prospect of suffering and slaughter inflicted on his soldiers. Fiat justitia, 
mat cesium ! 



CH. 8.] 



author's journal. 



1T3 



Commendable conduct of the Troops. 

When our troops arrive at the spot whence they drive the 
-enemy, after his first fire, they find the trees cut at a height, 
and with a force calculated to do fatal execution, were the 
savages to approach near enough for their balls to reach us. 
But the great distance at which the Indians generally fire, 
prevents a larger loss on our side. In reference to which, 
when called upon by some of our officers to nickname this 
skirmish, (for we have our sly jokes on occasion.) I dubbed 
it the Battle a la distance. In my serious mood I call it the 
Okihumpki battle, as near that place it occurs. The im- 
perfect loadir g, without patches, after the first fire, may be 
another cause of the little damage the savages effect; for 
Capt. Parker, an officer of distinguished coolness and cor- 
rectness, tells me that at one time to day, they shot at his 
men from a distance of only seventy yards. Capt. P. far- 
ther informs me. that on emerging from the hammocks, he 
found a cloth soaked in a puddle of blood, and various spots 
of it along the grass. In one place was seen the impression 
of a hand, in the soft damp earth, as if grasped to apply to 
a wound.* These circumstances indicate that we loged 
some balls where they should be. 

The Indian force in this rencontre is variously estimated. 
I take it to be about 100, but neither their strength or loss 
can be ascertained. They are seen only through interven- 
ing apertures, or when putting their heads from behind trees, 
or passing from one hiding place to another. In pursuance 
of their custom, a half dozen are seen, flagrante hello, busily 
engaged in carrying off their killed and wounded. f 

All our troops acted throughout this affair in the most 
commendable manner, evincing their patriotic enthusiasm, 
by zealously overcoming the most formidable obstacles, to 
reach the enemy. And when on the field of fight, they 
manifest their freedom from all flurry, by never firing, except 



x The Indiana are in the habit of thus using the cool clay to stop the 
haemorrhage. The bear also plugs its wound for the same purpose. 

t A half-breed, taken at Charlotte harbor, by the cutter, was carried to 
Tampa, where he confessed, that in the Okihumpki battle, the Indians had 
eight killed and fourteen wounded. This half Spaniard, half Indian, was 
a runner to the latter, and procured powder for them from Havana. 



174 



author's journal. 



Burning of Pilaklikaha. 

at striking distance. Our halting place to night I name, as 
a tribute to the deserving Major who commands the foot in 
this day's engagement. 

Camp Simpson* March MsL— We this day reach and 
burn Pilaklikaha,f the town where recently resided the (once 
hereditary) "Governor," Miconope, with his two wives, a few 
Indians, and many negroes. This is the largest settlement 
we have seen, and is about sixty-five miles S. W. of Volu- 
sia, midway between it and Tampa. It was the chief town 
of the Seminoles, whence (or from the Ouithlacoochee 
Cove.) they issued to attack Major Dade and his little band 
of heroes. In the centre of Pilaklikaha stood, a few hours 
ago, one of its best houses, which we may suppose the late 
abode of the "top chief/' (as Miconope's name is literally 
translated.) Before it, and towering over it, grew, but this 
morning, an orange tree, in stately grandeur and full bloom. 

" So lovely, fair, and smells so sweet, 
That the sense aches at" it. 

I could scarce reach, on my horse, this tall branch of fair 
blossoms, which, as I wave them, fling their exceeding fra- 
grance on the air, as if laying incense on nature's altar, in 
gratitude for simple, snowy beauty, and surpassing perfume. 
As the starry train of heaven shine out more luminously 
from the blackest clouds, so is the white lustre of this orange 
tree enhanced by the deep green of its foliage. Or we may 
contrast its pale purity with the dark hue and darker heart 
of the owner. Did the pond governor, (as he is at times 
called.) who cooly murdered the martyr Dade, prune and 
nurture this glorious tree, and pleasure in the beauty of its 
spotless blossoms, and the delicate verdure of its leaf, and 
the agreeable odour of both? Did the hand that pulled that 
cruel, fatal trigger, ever pluck hence a wreath to twine, like 
pearls, amid the raven and braided tresses of wife or 
daughter? 



*I named it thus in token of my respect for the worthy Major S. 
t Scattered hammocks, as Holathlikaha, where the right wing, with Gen 
Scott, encountered the Indians, signifies scattered ponds'. 



ch. 8.] author's journal. X?5 

Gen. Eustis sends an Express to Camp King, for Forage. 

But the impatient reader may exclaim, where is the left 
wing all this while? Ay! where? Why, it ever will be the left 
wing, by such a wanderer as I, whose pen, like my pony, 
curvets, and must be curbed. I quit therefore the spot, with 
a last look at the crackling dwellings, which, as the fascines 
are applied, blaze out into splendid conflagration. The lurid 
and lambent flame ambitiously climbs up the ruin itself has 
made. The dense smoke evolves in graceful, spiral clouds 
away. I behold, for a moment, the stainless blossoms, amid 
the dark mass, like "white handed Hope" triumphing over 
the blackness of despair. 

Camp Elmore, April 2cZ.*— At 10 A. M. we discharged 
a field piece, as the right wing and centre are also to do, to 
apprise each other of their respective positions. We hear 
no responsive cannon! How is this? Where are they? 
Repulsed? Ah no. Americans may be massacred, but 
they never, never fly. What if we flush the enemy? 
Can they not effect a junction with us? There is solace, 
though selfishness, in that last thought. If the Seminole 
will but stand and fight, our wing is enough of itself. 
I like Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana, but 1 love Caro- 
lina, and for her I covet glory— not the fame of triumphing 
over savages, so much as that best glory, to diffuse peace 
over a distracted land, heal the wounded, and bind the bleed- 
ing heart. 

Yesterday Gen. Eustis despatched an express to Camp 
King, to procure forage for our famishing horses, and in- 
structions as to the movements of the other divisions of the 
Army, and our own. 

Messrs. Campbell, Weathers, and Baskins, of the So. Ca. 
mounted Regt. who constituted the express, have this day 
returned. We are informed that Gen. Scott had proceeded 
towards Tampa, whither we are to bend our course, and put 
in for repairs, in distress. We are several days behind the 
march of Gen. Scott, and they have no corn to send us. 
But for the fine pasturage which this country affords on the 



*This I name in compliment to the Columbia Volunteers, and their justly 
popular Captain . 



176 



author's journal. 



[ch. 8. 



Visit to the Graves of Dade's Detachment. 

"burns." our poor horses must ere long die. Notwithstand- 
ing the frequent good grazing, they are drooping daily. I 
have seen them gnawing at the very harness, aye. at the 
wagon bodies themselves. While awaiting the return of the 
express, I examine the prize captured at Pilaklikaha. Here 
are a ball-stick, an Indian flute,* and small gopher shells, 
or box-turtle, with rattling Indian shot, or palmetto seed: 
the music of their dance. But I must defer a description 
which would too long detain the army. I therefore continue 
the march by saying, that we this day strike into the Camp 
King road, about two miles west of the ground of Dade's 
massacre, and soon stand upon that consecrated spot. 

I have heretofore (page 69 to 78,) fully described this 
heart-rending event, and yet I must pause a moment at the 
graves which Gen. Gaines has made, and pluck away the 
weeds, where only saddest flowers should bloom, and weep- 
ing willows bend. How still! how solemn the scene ! Its 
profound repose interrupted only by the low wind, which 
moans as in sympathy with sighs. The very waters come 
not gurgling and foaming over cataracts, but"flow as gently 
as tears! Man here holds his breath, or speaks only in 
whispers. Ail is quiet, motionless, save where, scared by 
the presence of the living, the harshly-screaming vulture 
wings its flight from the sepulchre of the dead. Why is it, 
when all is dark within the mind, that the glare of light breaks 
offensively on the view? Does not the saddened soul seek 
unison e'en from inanimate creation?! Here, the blue ot 
this sky should be as deep as the green of thfBe pines is 
dark, or mourning clouds intervene between the war-stained 
earth and the peaceful vault of heaven. How is it then, 
that the great Eye of Day has the hard-heartedness to look 
down gaily on a land wet with human blood, and on which 
only sorrowing night should shed her dews? Oh! out of 
place is all this lively lustre 

" of the Sun, 

Can he smile on such deeds as his children have done?" 

*Lord Kaims says, the 3Iexican Indians had flutes made of large canes, 
t "3Iethinks it should be now a huge eclipse 
Of sun and moon: aud that the affrighted globe 
Should yawn at alteration." 

[Othello, on Desdemona's death.] 



ch. 8.] author's journal. 177 

Arrival at the Ouithlacoochee River. 

Or is his vermeil hue but a blush for their butchery? Alas! 
what need of looking up and interrogating the distant arch, or 
its presiding planet? Do but look down upon the near and lowly 
hillock 'neath which heroes are interred, and ask of it their 
story. You may read it in that soldier's belt, these cat- 
ridge-boxes, this shoe, ivith the feet bones yet in it? Here, 
near the unfinished triangular stockade lie the oxen yet 
yoked— there rests the gallant steed, his bit unchamped— 
next him a little dog, who could not recognize the mangled 
features and once familiar form of his master, and faithful to 
the last gasp, came to die by that master's well known war- 
horse. 

We gaze upon these things, and we gaze upon each other, 
but we speak not — deep feeling chokes up utterance! Curi- 
osity in the soldier yields to grief of heart and awe, and these 
give place to indignation. But why prolong regrets una- 
vailing? 

"The tyrannous and bloody act is done; 
The most arch deed of piteous massacre, 
That ever yet this land was guilty of." 

Let us therefore leave the dead in the wide wilderness, that 
we may hunt out their murderous foe, and wreak our ven- 
geance on forms less savage than their souls. 

Camp Parker, April 3d.— Pursuing our weary way, at 10 
A. M. we arrive at that branch of the Ouithlacoochee impro- 
perly called little Ouithlacoochee.* We have to reduce the 
declivity of the precipitous northern bank, and the acclivity 
on the south, towards which we are travelling. The shelvy 
surface, the immense trees, the jutting rocks, all present so 
many obstacles, that though we bridge not, yet we do not 
completely pass till 2 P. M. 

At. 4, we reach the Ouithlacoochee, inaccurately stiled 



* The word, like many in the Indian language, is formed on their system 
of agglutination; of which hereafter, if we have space. This compound is 
created from the words Ouithlocko, a river, and uchee, which denotes their 
diminutive; and when we say the little Ouithlacoochee, we in effect call it 
the little little river. It is as if we spoke of the Alcoran, although Al signi- 
fies the, and coran book, which would be styling it the the book. 



178 



author's journal. 



[ch. 8. 



Construction of a Bridge across the Oaithlacoochee. 

the big, that is the big little river. How full of interest the 
scene before me! Of itself, the spot would be too remarka- 
ble to be lightly pretermitted, without pausing on the river 
bank in meditative mood. But when the genius of the place 
calls up the names of Clinch and Gaines, who fought, and 
Izzard who fell, how intensely is that interest enhanced.* 

The accomplished Capt. C. of the Top. Eng. and my 
humble self, are occupied in superintending the construction 
of a bridge over the river, from our arrival till near night 
fall. In this we are greatly aided by Capts. Van Ness and 
Lt. Allen, both of the 1st Regt. U. S. Art'y. The latter 
almost entirely denuding, promptly takes to the river, and 
floats to us the immense timbers which the fatigue parties, 
detailed, throw into the water, from the ruins of the once 
noble bridge that the Indians have recently burnt. 

Little space have I to gratify my own feelings, by doing 
justice to the merits of many friends, yet I must mention Lt. 
Allen's frequent volunteering and unflinchingly accomplish, 
ing the arduous duties he generously assumes." Often does 
he say to me, "Well, Cohen, what's to do next? Any work 
going on? You know I'm always ready to give a helping 
hand." And so indeed he is and does. From his judgment and 
energy, his aid is most efficient. I ought too to make mention 
of other officers and privates, not omitting many fine fellows 
under my immediate command, but want of room imperi- 
ously forbids. 

The pass for the teams being concluded, I revisit the tree 
whereat I had hitched my horse. I find him not, for, true 
to his Seminole nativity, he is a wanderer, as that term im- 
ports. Proceeding in quest of him, I penetrate the thick 
hammock, which borders the Ouithlacoochee, and coming 
down to the river bank, long after dark, I am struck with 
the beautiful resemblances which the water and the sky 
bear to each other. Their hues are similar, and the heavens 
appear like some cool liquid stream. The few and fleecy 



*To these must be added the laurelled name of the intrepid Foster 
Blodget, who three day? anterior to the date of this day's journal, with the 
propectof irament personal peril, gallantly volunteered ho dash into the 
Ouithlacoochee, and with freedom's flag twined around his brow, planted 
it on the opposite bank, where it waved all that day. 



[ch. 8. author's journal. 179 

The Hillsborough River forded. 

clouds, moving languidly along, image the ripples formed by 
the waters of the Ouithlacoochee, as they lazily leap the 
rocks imbedded at its base. The river does but seem a si- 
deral sky: for each particular light is faithfully mirrored on 
its serene bosom. Its surface is so nearly placid, that its 
dimples the better represent the stars when they 

"Do wink, as 'twere with overwatching.'' 

To day we crass the river over our stone based bridge, 
and after marching through a sandy country, interspersed 
with highland ponds, we halt and bivouac at this place, which 
I name in compliment to the excellent Abbeville troops, and 
their sterling captain. 

Camp Shelton, April 4th. — Reveille at half past three, and 
make sixteen miles in all this day. Near fort Alabama, 
and on the road to it, a remarkable pea is found, at an Indian 
camp. A single pea is contained in a pod, almond shaped, 
but of the structure of a ground nut shell. It very closely 
resembles what is called the Gullah ground-nut, introduced 
into this country from Africa. If it be the same, it becomes 
a question whether it is indigenous to Florida, or introduced 
by the Spanish fishermen, at Charlotte harbor, from Ha- 
vana, whereat it may have arrived in some African trader.* 

Nine miles from our yesterday's camp, we reach the 
Hillsborough, on the Camp King road, twenty-two miles 
from Tampa. I The horses ford it with great difficulty, after 
toiling through a long rich hammock, preceded by an exten- 
sive gall. This river is beautifully bordered by varied 
foliage; and on the side nearest Tampa, the Alabama and 



* One of these Spaniards has been a fisherman on the coast of Florida 
for the last fifty years. This pea must have been long known in South 
Florida, for the Tolopchopko river, or Peas Creek, is said to derive its name 
therefrom. The Alabama troops, previously to our arrival, discovered 
about a bushel of these peas collected in one place . They found them very 
palatable when boiled, resembling the cow pea. though sweeter and more 
delicate. We are not able to determine the character of this pea or ground- 
nut, never having seen the plant in flower, or in bearing. We may do so 
hereafter, as it is now growing in the garden of that most enlightened and 
enterprising philosopher, the Rev. Mr. Bachman, of Charleston. 



CH. 8.] 



author's journal. 



180 



The Commissariat becomes only half rction-aX. 

Florida troops, under Col. Lindsay, erected fort Ala- 
bama. 

During the halt here of the Left Wing, an Indian Chief 
presents himself bearing a white flag, and despatches from 
Gen. Scott, informing us of his march upon Tampa. The 
express has been following us for two days, but came not 
up earlier from fear of being fired on by our troops. He 
is copper-colored, Roman nose, and rather stouter than these 
warrior hunters generally, in whom indesinent exercise 
works down all superfluous flesh, and fully developes the 
muscles. This Indian is finely and fantastically drest, and 
his hat, saddle bags, and the like, give token "of his com- 
merce with the "pale faces." How this scout travels, with 
a lot of ponies for sale, without being seen and shot down 
by the hostiles, is a mystery inexplicable, except on the hy- 
pothesis that he acts as spy to both sides, as oft occurred, 
with fairer outside, in our revolutionary struggle with Great 
Britain. Prior to returning, the Indian enters the deep 
wood, and, concealing himself, (as he fancies) disrobes, 
thus evincing that pride of appearance, which, pervading 
savage as well as civilized life, induces the chief to present 
himself before us with the utmost effect. 

April llth,— On the 5th, Gen. Eustis and staff, with the 
mounted men, left us for Tampa, to recruit; the foot re- 
maining at Camp Shelton under Gen. Bull. Here we have 
been for a week doing nothing, except to entrench, after the 
manner of Gen. Gaines, some of whose stockades are en- 
countered on the fort King road. On one occasion, but a 
half day's ration is issued, aud the amiable, generous Col. 
Huiet, with whom I tent, requests the Commissary to serve 
out to the privates the portion due him as Lieut. Colonel. 
A protest or remonstrance, signed by Col. Brisbane and 
Major Kirby, was forwarded to Tampa, declaring their re- 
solve to abandon this post, and proceed thither with their 
forces, if provisions were not sent down to Camp Shelton by 
meridian on the following morn. They did arrive ere that 
hour! 

Here our regimental Surgeon procured a nest of the Pol- 



CH. 8.] 



author's journal. 



181 



The greatest of misfortunes is to sink under them. 

vborus vulgaris, or Caracara eagle, first found in the United 
States by Audubon in 1831.* 

To-day I have to forage from my horse some of the corn 
sent via Tampa, parching which, it constitutes my whole 
dinner.")* Poor pony! he was without grain many days 
consecutively, but he is an Indian, and can live on the grass 
of the bums, the leaf of the palmetto, or any green thing, 
e'en though it be green moss, of which he eats heartily. 
Yet even these he cannot always procure, and if the army 
be on the march, I may not pause to let him browse, and 
when we halt at night, the pasturage is at times distant or 
sparse, and I fear to let him loose to graze. For his priva- 
tion I have suffered, but for my own I care little. Coarse, 
scant rations, the dewy earth my couch; the serrate pal- 
metto pillow; the blue sky my pavilion: these are but as the 
small dust of the balance, in the scale of my feelings, where 
pain preponderates; On daintiest fare and downiest beds, 
the campaign would be a sacrifice to many of us, and the 
merit thereof (if aught there be) privation does but enhance. 
The wrestling with difficulty is a salutary excitement to the 
mind, that is, as it were, ventilated by the storms of life, 
without which it might stagnate in the calm of content. 
From every triumph over obstacles, the invigorated soul 
gathers new accessions of strength wherewith to struggle 
against coming hardships. I have long known that the 
greatest of misfortunes is, to *ink under those we have! But 
what my heart sickens at is, the inaction here, as at Camp 
M'Crea. And e'en when we march, there is so little pros- 
pect of battle worth the name. 

Opportunity! thou art indeed a leaden-footed goddess, 
and mere mortals, who cannot, like Cromwell, lend thee 
wings, must await thy tardy approach, and as Jacob of yore 

*The Doctor brought these birds to Carolina, and by experiment ascer- 
tained that they constitute an intermediate species, between the Vulture 
and Hawk family: with the former they devour carrion, and like the latter 
prey upon living animals. 

tl am not quite as badly off as were the adventurers under Capt, Miles 
Standish, the military leader of the noble pilgrims w ho, in 1620, landed on 
the coast of New England, in the May Flower. At one period of their 
struggles with the Indians, they were reduced to five grains of parched 




16 



8 



182 



author's journal. 



[CH. Si 



Bars of molten gold, amethystine gems, and flaming rubies. 

in his wrestling with the angel, hold thee fast until thou 
blessest us. But a soldier's feelings are like his dress- — 
first new, bright, gay and pleasing; then worn, torn, tar- 
nished and disagreeable. I read Milton or Shakspeare, or 
listen to the more elegant readings of Lieut. Bryan, or con- 
verse with him, Col. Brisbane, Adj. Magrath, Qi\ Master's 
Aldrich and Carroll, and the other talented and educated 
officers, whom Col. B. has been so fortunate as to collect 
about him— and among them, I grow cheerful, or seem so. 
But though a forced merriment may hide, it cannot relieve 
the weary mind, as the gaudy uniform conceals, but cures 
not, the warrior's wounds. Any change must bring relief, 
and therefore, thank Cod, to-morrow I visit Tampa, special* 
gratia.* 

Tampa, April 12th. — Action, Action, Action, replied 
Demosthenes, on being asked the first, second, and third 
requisites of oratory. And so I say of a pleasurable cam- 
paign. Though I allude rather to action with the enemy, 
yet it is something to be a-doing. And this, with 'all I have 
seen here, has put me in better spirits. Yes! my mood 
became merrier the moment I turned my back on Camp 
Shelton, and my face towards Tampa, this morning. I 
continued to go on gaily like a bird that had been beating 
its breast, 'till it was bruised against the wires of its cage, 
and had, at last, escaped from imprisonment. And though 
1 did not exactly "shake thousand odours from my dewy 
wings," yet I certainly shed (as a snake, his skin) lots of 
smoke and dust, the accumulated discomfort of a week's 
stagnation at Camp Shelton. Seen through my relieved 
wearil ess, the most ordinary objects have an interest, as 
straws thiough a prism appear like bars of molten gold, 
and rags seem amethystine gems, or flaming rubies. But 
there are real charms enough on the route, to gladden any 
eye. The rich hammock land, the "("Magnolia Grandiflora, 

*My enlightened publishers, Messrs. Burges & Honour, may omit all the 
foregoing v\ hit h reiers to my private feelings, as oi no interest to the pub- 
lic; or they may insert it as a probable index lo the sentiments generated in 
the bosoms of others, as well as my own, by the inaction of a camp life . 

tThe Indians call it> Tolochlucco, i. e. the big Bay Tree. 



CH. 8.] 



author's journal. 



183 



The vicinage of Tampa described. 

king of the forest: the dark green of the pine, russet trunk - 
ed; the pale verdure of the silver shafted water oak; the 
babbling stream; the proud glories of the lilium superbum, 
the far reaching prairies of brown and yellow broom straw, 
which skirt the forest; the sunlit lakes, in the centre of these 
prairies, bordered with beauteous flowers, all harmoniously 
blend in one delightful coup d'ceii. Then the occasional 
dwelling abandoned; the few rude implements left there: 
the old chair unoccupied, (the back bent, as is common with 
age) all remind one of similar scenes in travelling through 
some of the Southern States, where the small farmers have 
"broken up," as they phrase it, and with stock and store, 
emigrated to the far West. 

A little beyond this is a field, where the cotton is so high 
that the tallest man, on the loftiest horse, can scarce reach 
its«tops.* Numerous pretty little birds are crossing and 
recrossing the road, and not to scare them out of view, as 
well as to linger over and enjoy the loveliness of the shrub- 
bery, whence they emerge, Lieut. Hatch and I slacken our 
pace, and are left behind by Col. S. and Major W.,as lag- 
gards ever should be. We pass the skeleton of a horse, 
who, with his rider, had been shot by the Indians, a little 
while before. While my hands are still shading my eyes, 
and excluding the external objects which environ me, that 
I may ruminate of the slayer and the slain, the horse and 
the rider, Lieut. H. suddenly leaps forward and exclaims, 
see there! how broad and beautiful! At one bound I spring 
to his side, and behold, through the intervening trees, the 
expanded, the magnificent sheet of water, and drink in the 
enlivening air that has been toying with its ripples. I feel 
a strong impulse on me to moisten my parched lip, by kiss- 
ing the cool liquid surface. I readily admit the truth of 



*Col. Gad Humphries, a most intelligent resident of Florida for years 
past, tells me that in 1832, about thirty miles S. E. of Tampa, a little North 
of Sarasota Bay, he saw a number of Cotton trees of 15 to 29 feet high, and 
the diameter of the largest stocks 4 inches. The appearance of the Cotton, 
boll and leaf, shape and color, staple and seed, were all the same as the 
domestic Cotton. The stalks had the appearance and firmness of wood 
Within two miles from the cantonment at Tampa, a crop was gathered 
from stocks which were the growth of seed planted three years before, and 
not renewed, nor ratones. 



184 author's journal. [ch, 8. 

Beauty of Nature and exceeding beauty of Holiness. 

Mythology, and believe that Venus was born of the froth of 
the sea. The very waters seem to smile, 'till they dimple, 
as the fresh wind wantons with their waves, and I am cheered 
'till i sing, as the breezy pinion fans my fevered cheek. 
No man, who has spent all his life in a seaport, can enter 
into my feelings, even though he remember, that I have 
journeyed from Augustine hither, upwards of 200 miles, 
through sun and sand, the eternal pine and perennial pal- 
metto. 

The sea breeze acts on me like exhilarating gas. I had 
been pent up, and am now free. And I experience a plea- 
sure like Socrates', when he rubbed the place on his limb 
where the chain had been. My meditation is lifted from 
the beauty of Nature, to the exceeding beauty of Holiness; 
from the fair creation, to the merciful and munificent Crea- 
tor, and prayer and thanksgiving arise from my lips in ©ri- 
sons to the Most High. 

It may be, that the preceding will be deemed exaggera- 
tion, or the writer regarded as peculiarly susceptible to the 
charms of scenery. But my companion participated all 
my feelings! We both were gay as matin larks, and grate- 
fully like them did we send up our hymn of gratitude to 
God, then joyously gallop forward to the tents of Tampa.* 



*I have continued the explication of my own feelings, not from egotism, 
but for illustration . And there are those who pleasure in perceiving the 
influence of events or things upon their fellow men, as much as others glad- 
den in the thrilling incidents or gorgeous localities themselves, without ref- 
erence to their operations on the human heart. The reader versed in Ger- 
man lore, will readily recognize the aesthetic philosophy and the trait that 
distinguishes the classic from the romantic school. 



CHAPTER IX. 



OPERATIONS OF THE RIGHT WING- AND CENTRE. 

[Gen. Scott arrives at Picolata— the Right Wing moves towards the Ouith- 
lacoochae — Richmond Blues and Hussars — Attack at night — Foster 
Blodget— Camp Blodget and Blodget's Ferry— Parley and battle of the 
cove^-Indian town burnt — Fort Cooper established — Arrival at Tampa- 
Centre division of the army — marches to the Hillsboro', fort Alabama- 
battle there— return to Tampa— the cove— Gen. Scott takes the field 
again— movement to Charlotte Harbor and on the Peas Creek trail — 
Expedition of Major Reid and his command — movements of Gen. Clinch 
and Col. Lindsay— Major Cooper and his battalion— the Block House.] 

Having reached Tampa with Col. Goodwyn's Regiment, 
we find here the Right Wing and Centre of the Army. A 
due regard to chronological order now requires, that we 
should state whence they came, their operations on the 
route, their departure from this place, and movements sub- 
sequent thereto, up to the period at which they were hon- 
orably discharged. The present chapter will therefore be 
occupied with these subjects. 

Major General Winfield Scott was, on the 21st day of 
January, 1836, charged by the War Department at Wash- 
ington with the command of the army of Florida, and the 
direction of the campaign in that Territory. He according- 
ly issued orders, calling for troops from the States of Geor- 
gia, Alabama, and South-Carolina. As we have hereto- 
tofore observed, the South-Carolina foot took the field early 
in February, The Carolina mounted men did not, how- 
ever, reach the St. John's until March, in consequence of 
the deficiencies of transportation and supplies. Captains. 
Robertson's and Bones' volunteers were on the scene of 
action at a very early period. With this exception, the 
Georgia quota did not arrive at Picolata until March, at 
which period Major Cooper's battalion of foot, and four 
companies of mounted men, reached that place. On his 
arrival at Picolata, and in assuming the command of the 
army, Gen. Scott issued the following order: 
16* 



186 OPERATIONS OF RIGHT WING AND CENTRE. [cH. §. 



Major Gen. Scott's Order No. 1. 



HEAD QUARTERS— ARMY OF FLORIDA. 

Picolata, February 22d, 1836. 
Orde#s No. 1. 
Major Gen. Scott, having arrived at Florida, assumes the 
general direction of the war against the hostile Seminole 
Indians. 

The Staff-Officers attached to General Head Quarters, 
at present are Capt. Canfield, (Topographical Engineer); 
Lieut. Chambers, Chief of the Commissariat: and Lieuten- 
ants Van Buren, Temple and Johnston, Aids-de-Camp. 
All orders and instructions conveyed by either of them in 
the name of the Major General, and whether orally or in 
writing, will be duly obeyed. 

The right and left wings of the army, or the troops on 
the West and East side of the St. John's river, will be con- 
tinued under the respective orders of Brigadier Generals 
Clinch and Eustis, and the forces which are to operate from 
Tampa Bay, under Col. Lindsay, will, when they come in- 
to line, constitute the centre. The wings will soon be 
greatly reinforced by the arrival of both regulars and vol- 
unteers. 

The three immediate commanders of the right, left and 
centre of the army, respectively, will generally receive or- 
ders direct from General Head Quarters, but of course, every 
junior will obey any senior, according to the rules and arti- 
cles of war, and the usages of the service, whether the par- 
ties belong to the militia, or to the militia and regular 
army. 

As for the first time, patriotic volunteers from South-Car- 
olina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida, are to 
come into the same line, with a portion of the regular army, 
it is confidently hoped th^t a beneficial emulation, without 
unkindness or prejudice, may animate the different forces. 
All-are equally Americans, actuated by the like determina- 
tion — to subdue a treacherous and a common foe. 

But valor and patriotism alone, are not sufficient for that 
end. Some tactical instruction, and an exact obedience to 
commands, are also necessary. Instruction can only be 
acquired by opportunity and labor. A firm resolution to 



CH. 9.] OPERATIONS OF RIGHT WING AND CENTRE. 187 



The Right Wing marches from fort Drane. 

obey, accomplishes the other great requisite at once. Let 
the resolution be taken by all who have nobly turned out to 
avenge their butchered countrymen. 

But again — to parade, to march, to mount guard and to 
fight, are not the only duties of war. To handle and pre- 
serve the supplies of the army, and to construct camp and 
other field defences, are equally required of every good sol- 
dier. A corps of servants, for these purposes, would be too 
large and cumbrous. It would double the army, and ren- 
der one half too mean, and the other too delicate, for the 
glory of a well contested field. Fatigue parties must, there- 
fore, when wanted, be furnished bv a:i the corps in their 
turn, and proportionally. WINFIELD SCOTT. 

The movements of the army were delayed, for nearly 
one month beyond the time appointed for their commence- 
ment, by unavoidable accidents. Among these may be 
mentioned, the difficulty of procuring transportation, bad 
weather, the dreadful state of the roads, and the consump- 
tion of the provisions which had been collected in that vi- 
cinity, by the unexpected arrival of Gen. Gaines' army at 
Camp K.ng. These difficulties having been surmounted, as 
soon as practicable, the Right Wing, accompanied by Gen. 
Scott, and under the immediate command of Gen. Clinch, 
commenced operations on the 26th March. This division 
consisted of the Louisiana Volunteers, and Regulars, (who 
had been transferred by Gen. Gaines to Gen. Clinch) of 
the Georgia and Florida Volunteers, and the Regulars un- 
der the command of Gen, Clinch. On the first day, the 
Right Wing marched from fort Drane, about ten miles, and 
encamped near Charley Town. Shortly after halting, news 
came in that two wagons, wnich he a broken down and been 
left in the rear, had been attacked by Indians, tee persons 
accompanying them being obliged to fly. Several compa- 
nies of mounted men were immediately despatched, for the 
recovery of the carriages, and in search of the enemy. 
They discovered the fragments of the wagons King along 
the road, their contents broken up and scattered. They 
also found a negro belonging to Capt. Malone, named E- 



188 OPERATIONS OF RIGHT WING AND CENTRE. [cS. 9. 

Foster Blodget swims the Ouithlacoochee. 

dom, lying dead near by, with a ball through his breast. 
The Indians had effected their escape. 

The Right Wing arrived at the Ouithlacoochee on the 
29th March, (no other incident of interest, having occurred) 
and encamped about three hundred yards from the river, 
and two hundred from Camp Izard, which was found in the 
same condition as left by Gen. Gaines. On this morning, 
the signal guns of the Left Wing were heard by the Right. 
The Richmond Blues and Hussars, who were out on a 
scouting party, and a number of stragglers, were fired upon 
by Indians from a hammock, near the crossing place. But 
one man was hit — six or eight shots were heard, accompa- 
nied by yells. Anticipating an attack, abreast work, three 
logs high, was constructed during the day. Soon after 
dark, a heavy fire was opened upon it from the hammocks 
— no one being hurt, as the distance was so great, as to ren- 
der the shot of the enemy ineffectual. 

March 20th. — Before day-light, the whole camp was in 
motion, and just at dawn, the first man swam the river, with 
a line, and the star spangled banner bound around his head. 
The bank was lined with his brother volunteers, and others, 
to protect him as far as possible from an expected attack, 
and the deepest anxiety prevailed. On reaching the oppo- 
site bank, the flag was planted, and a hawser drawn over 
by the line, from shore to shore. This gallant and perilous 
feat was performed by Foster Blodget, one of the Augusta 
Volunteers, who nobly offered his services to cross on the 
preceding day. The hawser being thus extended over 
the river, the flat-bottomed boats, brought from fort Drane, 
were launched, and the men commenced crossing at this 
point, which was named by Gen. Scott Blodget's Ferrv, 
and the encampment on the opposite bank, Camp Blodget, 
a just and well merited tribute to the brave volunteer who 
led the way. 

Whilst the main body of the Right Wing were crossing, 
at this point, the Washington troop of Cavalry, Capt. Ma- 
lone, and the Hancock Troop, Capt. Swinney, under the 
command of Major Douglas, forded the river below, The 
approach to the river was difficult, the ground adjacent to 



CH. 9.] OPERATIONS OF RIGHT WING AND CENTRE. 



189 



Com. Jordan and Major Holmes lead the way. 

the banks being covered with a dense hammock, almost im- 
passable on horseback, and interspersed with lagoons. Ne- 
ro, the negro guide, entered first with a small detachment 
on foot, and returned, when the Washington Troop entered 
on horseback, and in single file. After much wading through 
the more accessible parts of the thick brush, vines and la- 
goons, the bank of the river was reached, the Hancock 
Troop following in the same track. The former corps dis- 
mounted and formed on the bank, to protect the first who 
might cross, when it was discovered that there was no ford 
at that point. After considerable search, one was found at 
some distance above. Commissary S. Jordan and Major 
Holmes, immediately volunteered to lead the way on foot, 
whilst the remainder extended themselves behind trees and 
on the ground, to protect them. After much labor and diffi- 
culty, Jordan succeeded in crossing, up to the neck, seventy 
or eighty yards above; whilst Major Holmes, getting into 
deep water, and being borne down by a rapid current, was 
compelled to return. The banks on the opposite side were 
fringed with a narrow strip of hammock, in the rear of 
which was high and open pine land. No attack was made, 
and the Washington and Hancock Troop proceeded to 
Camp Blodget, the formation of which had been already 
commenced. As the last portion of the ar my was crossing, 
it was fired upon by the Indians — no damage being done. 

March 31. — The line of march was commenced this day 
on a trail, which had been discovered by the mounted men, 
and by which it was supposed that the savages had retreated. 
An Indian encampment was discovered, about one mile 
from Clinch's battle ground, and close by, an Indian town, 
which was burnt. On entering a prairie, about three miles 
from this camp, numbers of Seminoles were discovered on the 
edge of a dense hammock. An Indian and negro interpreter 
were sent out, and reported that the enemy manifested a dis- 
position to parley. The army was then ordered to fall 
back upon the camp, to induce him to come in. By dawn 
on the next morning, the troops were in the prairie, and no 
friendly disposition or movement being manifested, orders 
were issued to the infantry, consisting of the Augusta vol- 



190 OPERATIONS OF RIGHT WING AND CENTRE. [CH. 9. 



The Right Wing reaches Camp Georgia, near Tampa. 

unteers, under command of Capt. Robertson; the Georgia 
battallion, under Major Cooper: the Louisiana regiment, 
commanded by Col. Smith, and the U. S. regulars, to scour 
the hammock in front: which was immediately done. On 
entering the forest, a heavy fire was opened upon them bv 
the Indians, directed chiefly against the Louisiana volun- 
teers; which was returned in the direction of the enemy's 
shot, as the men were unable to discern the foe. Small vol- 
lies of grape were also thrown from the cannon into the 
hammock. The savages retreated through the woods, 
closely pursued by our men. On the other side they gained 
a narrow strip of pine land, where they kept up a running 
fight for some moments, and were finally driven into another 
hammock, from whence they succeeded in reaching the 
river, a distance of about three miles. The loss of the 
whites was two killed, and thirteen wounded: that of the 
Indians unknown. The number of Indians engaged was 
computed at 200, exclusive of women. Their retreat was 
so sudden, that the meat for their breakfast was found half 
cooked at their fires. About mid-day the troops returned 
to the prairie, whence they proceeded back to camp, carrv- 
ing with them the dead and wounded. 

April 1st. — The right wing proceeded this day in a south 
west direction, for Tampa Bay. On this march, a large 
Indian town was discovered and burnt, 

April 2. — In order to facilitate the movements of this 
wing, the Georgia Battalion, under the command of Major 
Cooper, was left with the sick and wounded, on the Holath. 
likaha lake. They were furnished with ail the provisions 
which could be spared, amounting to about eighteen days 
rations, with a promise of being relieved in nine davs. Noth- 
ing of farther interest occurred on the march to Tampa. 
The men and horses suffered greatlv for want of provisions 
and good water. This division of the army reached Tampa 
on the sixth of April, and established itself at Camp Georgia, 
where we shall very respectfully take leave of it for the 
present. 



CH. 9.] OPERATIONS OF RIGHT WING AND CENTRE. 



191 



The Centre leaves Tampa — battle at Fort Alabama. 

The centre, commanded by Col. Lindsay, of the U. S. 
army, consisting of a regiment of volunteers from Alabama, 
three companies of volunteers from Louisiana, and a detach- 
ment of United States regulars, took up the line of march 
from Tampa Bay, on the 10th March. On reaching the 
big Hillsborough river, a post was established, and called 
fort Alabama. A company of seventy or eighty men, from 
New-Orleans, commanded by Capt. Marks, was left in 
charge. 

On the 27th March, this garrison was attacked simulta- 
neously, on every side, by about two hundred Indians. They 
caught one man outside of the pickets, and killed and 
scalped him. A steady fire was kept up for two hours, 
during which they discharged as many thousand balls at 
the fort. Being unable, however, to make any impression 
upon the garrison, by which they were warmly and cordi- 
ally received, a number of them ascended the trees which 
overlooked the pickets, and thence wounded several men. 
One of them being observed by a rifleman, was fired at and 
hit: the wound given being so severe, that the blood was 
seen to trickle down the tree. Notwithstanding the extent 
of this injury, the savage succeeded in descending, and 
made off with himself and rifle. From this incident, the 
difficulty of catching an Indian alive may be inferred. Even 
when fatally wounded, he will run like the wild beast, until 
dead. 

It is supposed that from fifteen to twenty savages were 
killed. A chief of some note, as indicated by three different 
colored plumes, which he wore in his head-dress, was among 
the slain. 

• After establishing fort Alabama, Col. Lindsay, with his 
command, proceeded to his position at the Chicuchatty set- 
tlements, where he remained waiting to hear from Gen. 
Scott, until his provisions were exhausted, when he returned 
to Tampa Bay. No general ' engagement was had with 
the enemy by this division. Nor did they see any conside- 
rable number, except in the engagement at fort Alabama. 
Small parties followed them throughout their march, and 
killed and wounded several men. 

We have had frequent occasion to allude to the swamp 



192 OPERATIONS OF RIGHT WING AND CENTRE. [cH. 9. 

The Centre, Right and Left Wing at Tampa. 

or cove of the Ouithlacoochee. It is an extensive, inun- 
dated district, formed by the juncture of several tributaries 
to the Ouithlacoochee or Amaxura river. It is spotted with 
islands, many of which are large enough for cultivation. 
The negroes belonging to the chief Sitachey, had a settle! 
ment on this inland Archipelago, in 1824. "it is supposed 
that the Indians concentrated upon this strong hold, as soon 
as they had determined upon war; and from°it they issued 
in their movements against Clinch and Gaines. It was under 
the impression that they continued to occupy this position, 
that the concerted movement of the three divisions of the 
army, from three different points, was made by Gen. Scott: 
the object of which was, if possible, to enclose' them.* 

_ In the progress of events, we have now brought the three 
divisions of the army to Tampa Bay and its vicinity. The 
campaign, so far, had been a complete failure. The enemy- 
had not been found in sufficient numbers to induce any thing 
like a general engagement; and when met and defeated, he 
he had always succeeded in effecting his escape. All was 
conjecture as to what had become of him. It is probable, 
however, that Oseola, availing himself of the information re- 
ceived from Gen. Gaines, "that the country would shortly be 
overrun with troops," had directed his warriors and chiefs to 
divide and scatter, availing themselves oftheir knowledge of 
the country, to annoy our troops, whenever occasion might 
offer, without great risk to themselves. Our progress was 
so slow, that by spies and expresses, the enemy could al- 
ways be apprised of our movements in time to avoid us. A 
different result could scarcely have been anticipated, under 
the circumstances of the case. The supply of transporta- 
tion and provisions was so scanty, that the army could not 
budge from the main road to search for the enemy; and in 
order to gain our positions at the appointed time, the three 
divisions were compelled to make forced marches; and even 
then, one of them arrived too late by several days. It is 
stated, moreover, that on one occasion, a division passed 

* A reference to the 3Iap which accompanies this Book, and which I have 
prepared with great care, and at the cost of much time and trouble to my- 
self, will explain the routes of the army, 



CH. 9.] OPERATIONS OF RIGHT WING AND CENTRE. 



193 



Louisiana and Florida Volunters — Gen. Smith — Major Reid. 

within two miles of an Indian camp, where the women and 
children were collected, without being conscious of it. This 
fact speaks volumes as to the character of the country, and 
the difficulty of finding the savage in his fastnesses, and of 
bringing him to battle. 

Baffled in his efforts to find and subdue the foe, Gen, 
Scott determined once more to take the field. A mixed 
Indian, who had been captured by friendly Spaniards near 
Charlotte Harbor, having confessed that the women, chil- 
dren, plunder and negroes of the Indians, were concentra- 
ted at the head of Peas Creek, it was determined to make a 
demonstration against them. The Louisiana Volunteers 
were ordered to move down to Charlotte Harbor by water, 
whilst Col. Goodwyn's Regiment of mounted men were di- 
rected to proceed by land to the head of Peas Creek. Ma- 
jor Reid, with the Florida Volunteers, was sent to the mouth 
of the Ouithlacoochee, with directions to explore that stream 
as far as practicable, with a view to future operations. Col. 
Lindsay was ordered to move up, explore and scour the 
fork of the Ouithlacoochee, and to meet Gen. Clinch, who 
went by a different route, at a given point. The Left 
Wing, under Gun. Eustis, after the return of Col. Good- 
wyn's mounted men, was to retrace its steps to Volusia, and 
thence to St. Augustine. 

In pursuance of these orders, the Louisiana Regiment, 
under the command of Gen. Smith, went down by water to 
Charlotte Harbor. Col. Goodwyn, with his regiment of 
mounted men, left Tampa Bay on the 14th of April, and 
passed the South-Carolina foot at Camp Jefferson, on the 
Peas Creek trail. On leaving Tampa, the command was 
supplied with six days' rations in their haversacks, and car- 
ried two bushels of corn on each horse. The men were 
ordered by Gen. Scott, (Order No. 28, April 11) to walk, 
and lead their horses, for two days. The mounted men 
returned to fort Alabama on the 18th April, after having 
visited the head of Peas Creek. No Indians were found, 
or recent traces of them. Col. Goodwyn, however, discov- 
ered and burnt a large Indian town on the left bank of that 
stream, called Tolopchopko. The men and horses suffered 
dreadfully on this expedition; many of the latter escaped, 



194 OPERATIONS OF RIfJHT WING AND CENTRE. [CH. 9* 

Alabama Volunteers— Battle of Clonoto Lassa. 

and a number died, or were reduced to such a state of dis. 
tress and suffering, as to render it necessary to kill them. 
The Louisiana Volunteers were equally unsuccessful, and 
returned without accomplishing any thing. Major Pveid 
touched at the mouth of the Ouif hlacoochee, and explored it 
to a certain extent, after which, he departed for St. Marks, 
where his command was honorably discharged. 

Col. Lindsay moved upon the Ouithlacoochee, near the 
bank of which, he built a fort for the protection of his bag- 
gage wagons. He was attacked by Indians whilst crossing 
the Hillsborough, and had one of his men killed, Mr. James 
Branham, of the Alabama Volunteers. Col. L. entered 
and scoured the fork of the Ouithlacoochees, and formed a 
junction with Gen. Clinch, without being able to find the 
enemy concentrated. Having separated from Gen. Clinch's 
division, he returned to Tampa Bay. 

On the 26th April, the Alabama Volunteers, several 
companies of the 4th regimei t U. S. Infantry, and one 
company of the 2d regmei t of Artillery, with one field 
piece, in all about seven hundred and fifty men: left fort 
Brooke, at Tan, pa, for fort Alabama. The object of this 
expedition was to destroy the post, and to bring off the sick 
and wounded. The command reached it on the following 
day. After securing the provisions and stores, a quantity 
of powder was so placed in the magazine, that it would ex- 
plode on opening the door. This accomplished, the troops 
commenced their return, and when about a mile and a half 
distant from the fort, a loud report was heard, occasioned 
no doubt by the explosion of the magazine* Proceeding 
about ten miles further, they found the dead bodies of two 
of the men, who had been missed during the previous day, 
one of them horribly mangled, the other untouched. Whilst 
the men were beholding this scene, they were fired upon by 
about five hundred Indians, (as was supposed) from a ham. 
mock thirty yards distant. A general action ensued, the 
enemy maintaining his ground, until he received several 
rounds of grape. On the hammock being charged by the 
infantry, the savages took to flight. Several dead Indians 
were found on the field of battle, and numerous traces 
might be seen where they dragged off the wounded. Our 



CH. 9.] OPERATIONS OF RIGHT WING AND CENTRE. 



Washington and ,MF«T*on troc;ps— C ip's. Mjlone find Campbell, 

men behaved with great gallantry. Col. Lindsay having been 
confined by sickness, the command devolved on Col. Chi- 
solm, of the Alabama Vulur.teer&i am Lieut. Col. Foster, of 
the regular army. The troops returned to fort Brook on 
the 28th, where the volunteers were disbanded, and took 
shipping for home. 

The following is a list of the killed and wounded at the 
battle ofChmoto Lassa, 27th April. 

Capt. Dent's Company. — Minis Jem : son,Qr. Master De- 
partme it, k ILd; Samuel X. Archibald', slightly wounded; 
Henry VV ebb, do. 

Capt. C pens' Company. — Benj. Parker, slightly wound- 
ed; Joshua M'l .tyre. do. 

Capt. Martin's Company. — James C. Butts, slightly 
wounded; Felix G. Dodson, do.; James W. Dodson, do. 

Capt. Mhiters Company. — John Morgan, slightly wound- 
ed; H. Raiford, do.; W. Randall; bad 1} wounded'. 

Capt. Campbell's Company. — Pv;ter Freely, killed; Wrti. 
Horr, killed; Win. J. Clongh, severely wounded; S. P. 
Lewis, badly; Henry Taylor, do,; L. B. Strange, do.; 
Daniel Prent:ss, d,-.; Luke White, do. 

Capt. Nott's Company. — J. H. Evans, killed, 26th April; 
James Sankege. badly wounded, 27th. 

Capt. V r ater's Company. — Lieut. R. H. Moble, slightly 
wounded; Ens-gn S. Handley, do.. J. C. Boyd, do. 

Capt. Bonharii's Compa ny.— James Vickers, slightly 
wounded. 

Gen. Clinch remained at Tampa until the 14th of April, 
when his command moved on the return march towards fort 
Draae. On the 17th, he arrived at a deserted, friendlv In. 
dian town, within about four miles of fort Cooper. The 
next morning a detachment was sent to apprise Major Coop- 
er of the arrival of the division, and an escort to carry his 
wagons. He was also directed to abandon the place, and 
Bring on his battalion. The detachment co asted of the 
Washington Tror p, Capt. Malone, and theJeffiirson Troop, 
Capt. Campbell, u ider the command of Capt. M done. So 
little appreiiensio i was entertained of an attack, that on the 
previous night, Nero, a negro guide, and several men, pro* 
ceeded to tne fort. When, however, the detachment of 



l^b OPERATIONS OF BIGHT WING AND CENTRE. [cH. 9. 

Sortie of Major Cooper's Georgia Battalion. 

cavalry arrived with a mile of the fort, it was fired upon by 
Indians from a hammock on the right of the road. T e 
men were riding along carelessly, but soon rallied at the 
command of their gallant leader. They all dismounted, 
made a breastwork of their horses, and fired into the ham- 
mock, upon which the enemy's rifles ceased. Agreeably 
to orders, in case of an attack, an express was forwarded to 
Gen. Clinch, who immediately sent on Col. Bankhead with 
a detachment of infantry, which scoured the hammock. 
The enemy had retreated, and the whole command then 
proceeded to fort Cooper. Two of the Washington Troop, 
Cornet I. H. Dawson, and private Howard, were wounded. 

On reaching fort Cooper, the garrison, which consisted 
of Major Cooper's Georgia Battalion, and a few regulars, 
was found to be extremely short of provisions. They had 
been subsisting, for some time, on two and a half ounces of 
meat per diem, with flour in proportion. On the third or 
fourth day after being left at this post, and whilst erecting 
their defences, the command had been assailed, and the at- 
tack had been renewed, regularly, for thirteen successive 
days. On one occasion, the enemy, to the number of from 
three to five hundred, made a most daring and determined, 
but unsuccessful effort, to take the fort by storm. They 
were headed by four or five chiefs, who were distinguished 
by their white plumes, and their movements in directing 
and inspiring their men. A sortie was made on them from 
the fort, on this, as on nearly every other day of attack, and 
a party of our men advanced within thirty steps of them, 
through an almost continued fire, pursuing thei r way from tree 
to tree, and firing as they advanced. One of these, private 
Zadock Cook, of the Morgan Guards, disregarding the or- 
der to advance under cover of the trees, and completely 
exposing himself to the enemy, while in the act of firing at 
them when only thirty yards distant, was mortally wound- 
ed, and died in a few minutes. Several ethers were wound- 
ed, on that and other days, but not mortally, or dangerous- 
ly. The action on this day continued considerably more 
than an hour— perhaps near two — till the Indians retreated; 
and several were seen to fall during it, and others to drag 
them instantly, as usual, from the ground— the Indians aU 



CH. 9.] OPERATIONS OF RIGHT WING AND CENTRE. 



197 



Bravery of the Georgians and their gallant Commander. 

ways dreading the scalping of their men, even more than 
the killing of them, and never suffering any difficulty or 
danger to prevent them from carrying them off, the mo- 
ment they fall, so long as it is possible to do so. 

Previously to the first attack, a party of Indians was 
seen to approach the pond with cattle, from the opposite 
side. These savages were doubtless unaware of there be- 
ing white men in the neighborhood, as on sight of them, 
they hastily retraced their steps and disappeared. 

And again, before the fight commenced, some draught 
oxen, belonging to Gen. Clinch, and several poor beef cat- 
tle, left with Major Cooper, being at grass near the pond, in 
charge of the regulars, were secured and carried offby the 
Indians. It is presumed that th j Indians knew the oxen to 
belong to Gen. Clinch, and therefore supposed him to be 
in the fort, as they came at night within hearing of it, and 
called to Gen. Clinch to come out and give them a fair 
fight saying that he had killed their men, and they desired- 
satisfaction, and that if he wanted provisions and rum, they 
would give him some if he would come to them. They 
were fired on, and immediately ran. 

The bravery and general conduct of the Georgians, and 
their gallant commander, at fort Cooper, and particularly 
the manner in which they carried on their work, in the erec- 
tion of the fort, under the fire of the Indians, are spoken of 
with the warmest approbation. 

The meeting with the Georgia battalion at fort Cooper, 
was a most warm, cordial, and gratifying one on both sides; 
and all who marched to meet them, regretted that they 
had not been with them, or had an equal opportunity of en- 
countering the foe. Except about twenty on the sick list, 
their general health was tolerably good, though all were 
weak for want of sufficient food. 

Fort Cooper was evacuated, and the command joined 
Gen. Clinch's division. After going back two miles on the 
Tampa road, a trail was taken, which, being followed a few 
miles in an easterly course, brought the army to the southern 
branch of the Ouithlacoochee. A junction was formed 
with Col. Lindsay according to arrangement. The margin 
of the stream was followed for a few miles, when the army 



-lyo OPERATIONS OF RIGHT WIXG- AND CENTRE. [cH. 9. 

Georgia Troops return to Fort Drane, and are honorably discharged, 

encamped for the night at the edge of the hammock, which 
skirts its border. After dark, a lot of thirty very fine cat- 
tle, taken in the woods during the fourth day's march, es- 
caped from the pen, and next morning a party was sent 
for them, with orders not to remain more than hour. Hav. 
ing exceeded that time, and hereby delayed the march, 
Gen. Clinch sat down waiting impatiently for their arrival, 
and on their coming, with the cattle, in his haste to proceed, 
he forgot his sword and belt, which, on sitting down, he 
had taken off and rested against a tree. He did not discover 
the loss,, till he had proceeded about four miles. One of 
of his aids, Maj. Holmes, then went back after it, with four 
or five horsemen from the Jefferson troop, and on arriving 
at the camp ground, discovered six Indians there, and one 
of them with the sword on, suspended on the wrong side. 
They fired on the Indians, who returned the fire wounded 
private Bostwick's horse, and fled to the hammock, pursued 
by the mounted men, who perceiving on their way another 
body of Indians, about twelve or twenty, on the edge of the 
hammock, and attempting to cut off their means of retreat, 
halted, and returned to the camp, 

On their return to fort Drane, the Georgia troop were 
honorably discharged, and proceeded to their homes and fire- 
sides, after having faithfully performed their duty as good 
and gallant soldiers. 

Major M'Elmore volunteered, at a late period, to bring a 
supply of provisions to the Ouithlacoochee, stating that°he 
had a suitable boat, and could effect the enterprise without 
risk to his party. It. was late, say the 22d or 23d of March, 
before Gen. Scott received Major M'Elmore's offer. All 
the preparations for the march had been matured. In re- 
ply, Major M. was informed, that a supply of provisions 
would be acceptable, if it could reach the Ouithlacoochee 
by the 29th of March, but that the Major must be the judge 
of the security he gave to his command, and must not unne- 
cessarily expose his small party. He was also instructed, 
that if he reached the river after the 29th March, he must 
not, unless joined by the army, remain later than the 4th of 
April, as after that day, the army would probably be in 



CH. 9.] OPERATIONS OF RIGHT WING AND CENTRE. 199 



Major M'Eimore — Capt, Holleman— -the Block House. 

motion for the South, and could afford his small command 
no succour whatsoever. 

Major M'Eimore reached the river on the 4th day of 
April., and on the 5th, left one half of his force under the 
command of Capt. Holleman, at the block house. He re- 
turned to the Suwanee with the remainder, and, it is stated, 
did not advise Gen. Scott of what he had done. By a sin- 
gular oversight, the men occupying this position were left 
there until after the volunteers were all disbanded and sent 
home. For six weeks they were alone in the wilderness, 
assailed by more than a thousand warriors. This is the 
number reported by the savages themselves to have been 
employed in besieging the post. On the 12th of April, at 
the dawn of day, they were attacked by a large body of 
Indians, and from that time were surrounded by them al- 
most continually — only two men were killed; Eli Sealy, 
on the 13th April, and Capt. Holleman, on the 3d of May, 
and five slightly wounded. On the 15th of A pril, the gar- 
rison was attacked by four or five hundred Indians. The 
battle lasted two hours and forty-five minutes, and while 
pending, the savages got possession of the flat, which drift- 
ed down the river, and was destroyed by them. During 
this attack, a chief, who had made himself conspicuous, 
was brought down by a marksman; four or five Indians 
sprang forward to his assistance, and fell at one fire. The 
Indians ascribed their own losses, and the invincible cour- 
age of our men, to witchcraft, and, in accordance with a 
well known superstition prevailing among them, fired silver 
bullets. The bravery displayed by this little band, was 
worthy of all commendation. From the commencement of 
the seige, not a single shot was fired, unless at a particular 
object. 

The retreat of the garrison being cut off by the destruc- 
tion of their flat, it was determined to send an express for 
relief. Three men were drawn by lot, and embarked, at 
11 o'clock at night, in a canoe, which required constant 
bailing. They heard the Indians on both banks of the riv- 
er, tryin r to intercept them. They were fired on, near the 
mouth of the Suwanee, by a party in ambush, but were out 
of the reach of their guns. 



f 



200 OPERATIONS OF RIGHT WING AND CENTRE. \CH. 9. 

Lieut. Walker— Major Reid— Fl >ridu Volunteers. 



As soon as the express arrived, with a letter from Lieut. 
L. B. Walker, the gallant commander of this post, after 
the death of Capt. Holleman, a volunteer company was 
raised, consisting of eighty men, under the command of 
Maj. Reid. This corps proceeded to the block house, and 
succeeded in bringing off the whole garrison, without fir- 
ing a gun. This enterprise would have done honor to the 
best days of chivalry, being projected from the noblest mo- 
tives, and surrounded by a thousand dangers. In an af- 
fair on the 9th March, where Major Reid ordered out a de- 
tachment, consisting of the Franklin, Gadsden, and one 
company (Capt. Searvice) Leon Volunteers, (all from camp 
Allison, near fort Brooke) who routed one thousand Indians- 
they also covered themselves, their Captains, and Major 
with distinguished honor. 

We conclude this chapter, bv expressing our indebted- 
ness to Capt. Hitchcock's letter for information as to Gen 
Gaines' movements, and to Major Pemberton, of the Au~ 
gusta Chronicle, for the operations of the Right Wing. 



CHAPTER X. 



THE AUTHOR'S JOURNAL TAMPA TO AUGUSTINE. 

[The Author describes Espiritu Santo, the Generals and Col. Gadsden, 
whom he meets there — l aves Tampa and p oreeds wilh Gen. Scott and 
the Left Wing to Volusia— the General? take boat th-nce for Hcolata— ■ 
th^Colon^ls v wirh the 1st and 2d Regts. volunteers, march to A igustine, 
— the Author's views of the campaign, its total failure, causes thereof, 
the Gen. Government, the (.enerals in the field— City and society of Au- 
gus cine— Florida Lands— Seminole Chiefs— Return to Carolina— The 
Author's Farewell.] 



"We will not f j ar, albeit our way we thread, 
Through some wood-wilderness, wh^re all th° night, 
Cry loud the ravening beasts; and where we tread, 
Marsh vapors, and the strange, malicious light, 
Of serpent eyes, gleam round us to betray 
Our feet that, bleed upon the thorny way: 

God is our hope and refuge!" & 

[Hymn of the old Discoveries, H. F. Chorley.) 



Tampa, April 12th. — Surely the coldest heart would 
warm with admiration, for beauties which the dullest eye 
must here perceive. Come with me, and note this romantic 
grove of lofty trees — these venerable oaks, crowned with 
streaming locks of gray, and contrasting with the young 
and verdant orange, thisVow of Pride of India, faintly flushed 
with pale, purple blossoms — yonder graceful group of offi- 
cers — this motley cro'vd of variously occupied soldiers — 
these files of tents, that whiten in the sun — the hundreds of 
gallant war-steeds cou hant or rampant, on a field vert, 
(as the heralds say,) some picketed, others caracolling in a 
thousand sportive evolutions. Then let us view the circular 
tower, and the houses so curiously built around huge trees, 
that seem to grow from the floor, and actually emerging 
through the roof, cast all over and about the building their 
umbrageous shelter.* Visit next with me the post-office, 

* This singular mode of constructing mansions here, is very accurately 
delineated in one of a series of excellect sketches shewn me from the pencil 



author's journat,. 



[CH. 10. 



The Author describes Tampa Bay. 



which, like some mode st little cottage, embosomed in the 
shade, and almost shut out from view by the thick shrubbery 
that environs it, scarce lilts its humble head above the 
white palings, and the neat, trim gateway. And if I may 
b» permitted to add the interest of meditation to mere exter- 
rial charms, let me remind you, that this is the only spot, 
for hundreds of miles, whence you may receive lettek from 
home, or wherein you may deposit them for home. 

In proud preeminence, towering above all, yet in solitary 
grandeur, uke Pompey's p.llar at Alexandria — lo' Colum- 
b.a s striped and starry banner— floating as freelv as that 
"cnarterecl libertine, the air." No matter what his political 
sentiments, let him have drawn the vita! breath, and imb.bed 
the milky tide of existence, north or south of Mason and 
Uixons line, be he as dissentient and mal-contented as he 
may at home or in peace, no citizen of these United Stat-s 
may see, abroad or in war, this national emblem, and not 
exult, that he too l8 an American. The moment it meets 
toe eye, the heart warms to it, as Jenny Deans said she 
knew that Argyle's would to the tartan, and the verse, 
bursts from the lips, 

"Flag of the free heart's only home 
By angel hands to valor given— ' 
Thy stars have lit the welkin dome, 
And all thy hues were born in heaven." 

Proceed we yet onward, even to the Hillsborough— do 
but observe the busy throng— the vessel that they aYe un- 
aong, as she anchors idly at the wharf, and her sails flap 
lazily with the breeze We are at the water's edge— how 
broad, transparent, and deliciously cool! extending far as 
the eye can reach into the capacious hay that enters the 
very gulf stream itself, and dotted with distant sail. Take 
a near. :r view:— observe fort Brooke, on a jut of land, be^ 
tween the Hillsborough and the Indian river. See the • 

of Mr. J. H. Gray, a volunteer in Capt. Elmore's company, during this c-im- 
paign. The fidelity of th>se view,, iakan on the soots, .'can vlrhV fZ 
personal inspections of iho <c >nes and drawings Aide ! by the eb»"ant arS 

amon ol iha nne art* in Charleston. 



CH. 10.] 



author's journal. 



203 



What Gen. Scott repeatedly declared to the Author. 

small boat with the Spaniard that owns it, aided by the 
Seminole sailor. Looks not the savage oddly in his large 
white trowsers, his pea-jacket, and tarpaulin hat ? But we 
may not now pause to conjecture the feelings and the fate of 
the red hunter, who renounces the venatic life of the woods 
and launches on the stormy waves of ocean. Cross with me 
in his "dug out," the tempting water, and enjoy the inviting 
prospect on the other side of the river. 

'Tis but a little way to the shantees of the friendly Indi- 
ans. We are there — Having seen them — let us advance 
a few steps farther. Yes, there they are, the men and 
steeds and tents of the Right Wing. Descend this "wood- 
crowned height, 5 ' and tread yon ample beach, and regard 
the tiny shell and the waters wide, alike the work of Him 
whom vastness confounds not, nor minuteness evades: And 
as, with your sword, you carve on its wave- washed surface, as 
I did, a moth r's or sister's name; and your heart melts, 
and your eye moistens, and is raised in mute piety from the 
white and sandy shore, to the blue and serene sky — will yon 
not confess that Tampa is a glorious and a beauteous Bay, 
and worthy to be called Espiritu Santo ? 

At the cottage wherein is the post o trice, I had the pleas- 
ure of meeting Gen. Scott, who, with Col. Gadsden, occu- 
pies a part of it. The elegant maimers, and the polished 
phraseology of Gen. S.. his yielding demeanor, with his 
towering form and splendid appearance, are too well known 
to need description. To me he exercised his accustomed 
urbanity, and in the course of a prolonged and interesting 

colloquy, lie with great emphasis repeatedly declared 

what I have not the least idea of doling out to others. For 
I have a thorough contempt, and inbred horror, of all who 
hang on great men's words, and culling a few, out of many 
sentences, meanly vend them to the world, in base violation 
of the sacred confidence always implied in the oonversa* 
ticns of gentlemen. 

Col. Gadsden, one of the leading minds and master spirits 
of the war, is different, yet preferable. Possessing much 
merit, and the most extensive and varied knowledge, he yet 
makes no pre tension; and you see so much of intellect, and 
to itile of self-esteem — such energy, activity and firmness. 



204 



author's journal. 



[ch. 10. 



Col. Gadsden— Generals Clinch and Eustis. 

tempered by frankness and courtesy in communicating it; 
in his own mind so much of deliberation and decision; and 
to the conviction of his hearer, such mathematical demon- 
stration, that you are at a loss whether you shall admire or 
esteem him most. 

At Tampa, I also met Gen. Eustis, who had left camp 
Shelton for this place, a week prior to my arrival here. Of 
him, as of the other Generals, I shall have occasion to speak 
anon, and will here only say, that to write most favorably 
of his manners, all that you can state is, that they are those 
of a stern, blunt, and busy soldier, rather than of the mild 
and leisurely officer. His words are few, and as unlike a 
courtier's as roughness is to polish, or harshness to suavity. 
The jests of Gen. E. are still fewer, and are the most 
solemn, serious things in the world — they are any thing but 
laughing matter. His grace is such as oftnner to throw 
sand between the helmet and the wound of the soldier, than 
to pour in the latter the wine and the oil of balmy consola- 
tion. Yet Gen. E. is a brave commander, and a business 
man. 

On crossing the Hillsborough, I had the pleasure of meet- 
ing my intelligent and esteemed acquaintance, Major Lytle, 
who politely invited me to the marquee and supper which he 
participates with Gen. Clinch, to whom he is the aid-de- 
camp. This invitation I declined, through a desire to see 
my friends, Major Pemberton and Capt. Robertson, of 
Augusta, and others of the Georgia gentlemen, in the camp 
of Gen. Clinch, in which I was then strolling. I was grat- 
ified to find the Gen. looking so heartily, and could not help 
admiring his bluff honest appearance, and republican sim- 
plicity of manner. Like all the Generals of the U S. army,* 
whom I have seen, he is tall and stout; but he stands loftiest 
and strongest in the opinions of his troops, who all speak of 
him in the highest terms, not merely of approbation, but of 
affection. They emphatically call him the friend and 
father of his troops! Endearing title! proud appellative! 
honestest tribute, and most conclusive testimony to worth. 



*Thsy are all said to be Virginians, and thpre also appears to be a natural 
vigor about the native state of George Washington (whom no title can 
honor,) that gives birth to a race of Presidents and Generals. 



CH. 10.] 



author's journal. 



205 



Left Wing on the Pea Creek trail. — The Pseudo-stoma Bursarium. 

But I weary of riding and writing, and the reader, doubt- 
less, does of perusing, and so, good night. Throwing my- 
silf on a bundle ot hay, in the open air, and pulling down 
an armfull for my pillow, I and the stars wink at each other. 
For I am kept awake by a small pest not to be named to 
ears polite, to which Gen. S. compares the Indians — when 
you put your finger on them, they are not there. I drop 
asleep, repeating, in reference to this plague, a verse very 
differently applied by its author, Byron, two words on the 
last line of which, I alter thus — 

Oh! that to me the wings were given 
That bear the eagle to her nest, 
Th^n would I cleave the vault of Heaven, 
And flea away — Ld be at rest. 

Camp Shelton, Aprillbth. — On the morning of the 13th, 
the foot of the Left Wing moved five miles from tin's place, 
and took position on the Peas Creek trail, at a point which I 
named Camp Jefferson, after liberty's great apostle. Lieut. 
Hatch and myself arrived there late in the aiternoon of the 
same day. We had mos* imprudently loitered on the road 
from Tampa thither, awaiting the return of our servant and 
horse. He had pushed on to Camp Sheiton to carry our 
personal baggage to Camp Jefferson, but left it, on our 
friends frightening him by sending him back to us imme- 
diately with the horses, and a message, that we were very 
foolish to run this risk of our scalps, and that we must at 
once return. Wo concurring, took their advice, as men are 
apt to do, when it accords with — their own. 

While on the Peas Creek trail, a salamander was bur- 
rowed from his hole. We had thousands of times observed 
the numerous traces of recently turned up earth, indicating 
their presence, but never succeeded in procuring more than 
this one. It looks like a small greyish brown rat, and — 
but I omit my long description of it, and refor to Godman, 
Nat. His. vol. 2, p. 90, where it is spoken of as the Pseu. 
do-stoma Bursarium.* The day after the arrival of the 



♦Rafinesqin m-ntions life having seen a Salamander in Mississippi, 
which had no c h^ek pouch on the outeide. 
18 



* 06 author's journal. [ch. 10. 

jCoi. Goodwyn and the mounted men proceed to Tolopchopko. 

foot at Camp Jefferson. (14th) the mounted men left Tarn- 
fa for Ptas Crec k W hen they had proceeded some ten 
tniles, an officer in advance descried a party through the 
woods before him. He ther-fore rode back to the main 
4x>dy,and announced to Col. Goodwyn his belief that there 
were Intfkns a-bead, and that he had discerned the smoke 
ftf a fire horn the road. The Color el galloped up, and per- 
ceived the smoke as described. He therefore directed the 
effcer to move down with a portion of his con pai y upon 
the Indians, and as soon as they beheld the enemy, to aban- 
don the corn that impeded the celerity of their steeds, and 
d:,sh after him. This party, in pursuance of these orders, 
1 ad prcceeded but a little way, when the ever excitirg cry 
was heard fjcm one of tl t n — Indiar s! Indiars! thiough 
the tiees. there! there! The moving human fcrms were 
sren by the others, and all immediately rushed towards 
them. But ere tl ey arrival at the spot designated, they 
discovered that the men upon whom they were tins char, 
girg. composed the foot of their cwn division of the aimy. 
Mutual astonishment gave place to mutual explanations, ;»nd 
the small, but natural mistake, was etefind away. The 
moui ted men 'put up their brigl I weeporis." and very qui- 
etly walked their horses into our enenmjmert, wleVe we 
are all re joiced to beheld our friends* This morning (15th) 
they left us, ai d pursued the trail to Tolej chepko,* on Peas 
Cre< k. Of their expedition thither, which was made in con- 
ceit with a portion of the Right Wing, I have spoken in the 
^precedir g ei apter. 

Shoitly alter the departure of Col. Gcodwyn's regiment, 
the Jc c t returned to our present encampment. On our 
way hither, we could net hut ae'mire the picturesque ap- 
j taniiee of tie soldiuy. Ti e sun bemu d brightly cn 
each mnsket. as the men, or e by one, defiled through a 
curve in the w< ods, ai d emerged into a prairie, presenting 
en masse a cci tiast to their previous apparent isolation. 
The set uery too was romantic, aud b< autifully varied, from 
the rough biown trunk ol the pine, ai d the bluish green of 
its bushes, to the (oh'shed and light-hued st< m of the water 



*For the origin of i\\w name, mite p. 179. 



CH. 10.] 



author's journal. 



I 

201 



One of the Left Wing wounded by Indians. 

oak, with the pule pea colour of its leaf. Yet a iittK- fur-- 
ther, a id we m t the. Magnolia an I Black Jack, their d irk 
foliage dotted with innumerable wnite cranes as wit!) flake* 
of leathery s iow. Capt. C. of tfo& Top. E igineers, haj 
three sputl sss plumes, plucked from a Heron which ha 
killed on the march to t.iis place. 

Camp Shlney* ne ir fort Al.ibam/i, April 18/A. — Late on 
th^ night of the 15ta, wai'e we were at Camp Snellen, anj 
after I had closed my journal and my eyes, we had art 
alarm. A cry like taat of owls was h ;ard from three dif- 
ferent trees, succeeded by the report of three rifles. Oaf 
faitaful sentinels promptly replied with their leaden messen- 
gers, and we plainly perceived the Indians, arms trailed, 
dashing across the camp, their dusky forms relieved by tho 
bright blaze of the guard-fires. I a the earlier periods of 
the campaign, we often heard cries which we took to bar 
those of wolves, and various birds. We became, subse. 
queiitly. convinced that they were but signals from one [a* 
dian party to another, and that they have the faculty oj 
mimicking, with great accuracy, the sounds of bird or be ist, 
Tne early imitation of tae former is alluded to, even by & 
writer as ancient as Lucretius: 

M At liquila* avium voc^s inrtimr vo<^, 
Ante tin it m lit* », q tain 1 e va carnjifia ca itu. 
Cone iliLr art; lumi ies potent, auresqa^ j avare." 

On the 16th, we heard that one of the garrison at fort 
Alaabma, seven m l s distant from Camp Snellen, hnj 
be ;n killa I t-ie previouJ nig it. On that day, private Rid* 
ford, of Capt, Jo ;es' Edgefield Bluus, wno was f\s\\\ :g at a 
stream, about fifty yards in advance of our sentinels, wad 
shot in the arm. Capt. Parker's compa ly imaie iiutely 
charged the hammock, and Capt. Heery s, with a party of 
mo anted men, weiit out to circumvent tae Indians, or rein- 
force C apt. P. if tne enemy should be found in numbers. 
Ia vain! after a wU and toilsome marca, t aey discoverei 



*This ram;) I oall afar Sir l*hiiip, and Algeinjn ;SiJnsy f naiuss dear £J 
chivalry, pairiOiUin, a. id poetry! 



AUTHOR^ JOURNAL. CH. 10.] 

The Indians at fort Alabama.— Gen. Scolds kindness to the sick. 

only the traces of two savages. They had approached on 
ponies, secured them, crept up through the hammock, fired, 
and galloped off. 

On the 17th, Gen. Scott, Col. Gadsden, who acted as Qr. 
Master General, Major Watson and Lieut. Johnson, with 
Gen. Eustis and staff, joined us from Tampa, when the 
Left Wing started for this place. On our arrival here, we 
found Lieut. Col. Huiet, Dr. Trotti, and the companies of 
Captains Hihler and Fripp, who had been sent to this sta~ 
tion a few days previously. They have had a very busy, 
anxious time of it, the Indians constantly hovering "around 
and picking off all stragglers from the camp. 
• Although this day's march was short, yet it proved a 
most fatigueing one, being made during the" meridian heat, 
and many of us having walked and carried corn on our 
horses, by Gen. Eustis' request. Even an officer of the 
grade of Col. Brisbane, lead his heavy laden horse the en. 
tire way from Camp Shelton to Camp Sidney, while the 
very attendants of superior U. S. officers, "(superior in 
grade, J mean) rode all the while, carrying little or no corn. 
The weather was oppressively warm, and soon af:er we 
arrived, many might be seen par tii g and prostrate on the 
earth. While I was reclining under the canvass, disarm* 
Big myself, and essaying to "keep cool," Gen. Scott paused 
at the door of my tent, ai d ei tered into conversation. He 
was still weariig his thick cloth military frock and his 
sword, while I had more luxuriously disrobed, as far as 
proprit ty permitted. I enquired wl at had led him from the 
refuge of his marquee, and found that, while I was killing, 
he had been visiting fort Alabama, in a broding sun, overa 
ground unrf lieved by a foot of shade, all the trees having 
been cut down by previous encampers. The Gen. had 
gore to see the sick, to care for and comfort them. DiV 
covering that they were confined in a miserable spot, he 
had ordered a bower to be erected, whither they should be 
brought out during the day, to be revived by a breath of 
air. Gen. Scott extended the same soothing attentions to 
the sick at Tampa, and this beautiful trait of his character 
is too meritorious in any commander ever to be pretermit- 
ted in silent coldness. 



[CH. 10. 



author's journal. 



209 



The Hill- borough. — The sun's disc shivered into splinters. 

The Hillsboro', near which we are now encamped, is 
rendered diaphanous to the eye, and flat to the taste, by the 
limestone abounding therein. As I stood upon the flower 
and foliage-clad river bank, about to plunge in and lava 
my fevered limbs. I was arrested by the confused, though 
lovely images on the bosom of the water, and at its base* 
The broad, smooth, clear sheet, was imprest with every 
beauteous object and hue, from above and around. I$£ 
leaf-enamelled borders seemed arched and almost united*, 
and their trees to grow on, or out of, the liquid surface, 
Through all this might be seen the silver and golden and 
emerald and sapphire tinted fish, as if sporting in the sky, 
or amid the tree tops. As I rose up from diving, and thus 
parted the agisted water, I looked again for the gay a J 
gaudy pict firings, but they were gone, in their complete- 
ness! Tne sun appeared divided if to parts, the trees bro. 
ken into branches, and earth and sky were odtily, ytt spleru 
didly, jumbled together. I again climbed the bank, and 
Standing on its edge, beheld in the now tranquilized river* 
the perfect and unbroken images I had seen. 1 leaped in, 
and rmseenied, shattered into fragments the stoutest trees, 
and shivered u to splinters of fight the sun's ample disc. 
On returning to my tent, he paid me, w.th his fierce re- 
gards, for t ie liberties I had bt en taking with his ma- 
jesty. Col. Goodwyn rejoined us here. 

Camp White, April 21 si. — Since the 18th, so little has 
occurred on our now uneventful march, that I have net 
journalized 1 11 arriving at this place, which I name in com. 
phme it to F.orida's zealous delegate. The incidents most in. 
tere^ting to me, though least so to others, are the loss of my 
Jtortus siccus, and the fi.iding some glorious flowers. All! 
would that my herbarium were fit to receive them. Yet 
my heart does — it cannot reject such signal manifestations 
of tiie lavish prodigality wherewith the Creator scatters 
beauty and fragrance, even 'mid the wilderness scarce track, 
ed by the foot prints of His creatures. I have mentioned 
m, bortus siccus — it is siccus no lot ger. In attempting to 
ford the Hillsboro'. my saddle bags were soaked, and my 



210 



author's jouenal* 



[CH. 10* 



The Left Wing meets the Centre, and passes the Ouithlacouchee. 

botanic collection ruined, I fear, forever.* I may be regard- 
ed as attaching too much importance to these trifles. Yet 
who knows not how much we value those objects on which 
we have bestowed time and labor. Yes! how much have 
these plants and flowers cost me. How oft have I jumped 
from my horse, knee-deep, to cull them. How many bri- 
ars have I braved, how many weary steps wandered, in 
quest of them. But they are precious to me, like virtue, for 
their own sakes, and are their own rich reward. They have 
a purifying and refining influence, and lifting the soul from 
nature up to nature's God — but I check my musings. 

On the 20th, the Left Wing passed the" big Outhlacoo- 
chee where we found the Centre engaged in constructing a 
defence for its baggage train, preparatory to ei terirg and 
scouring the forks of the Outhlacoochees, while the Right 
Wing was advancing by the cove and the ldft bank of the 
main river. 

To day, we revisited the scene of Dade's massacre, and 
no man but lingered as it his 

"Heart was in the Coffin there with Caesar, 

And he 

"Must pause till it come back to him." 

Over the hillock, wherein were interred the last mortal re- 
mains of Dade and his officers, might be seen to lean, one 
who had known them long and loved them well. Folding 
his arms o'er his grief-surcharged bosom, as if to repress 
its swelling sighs, mournfully shaking his head, and pulling 
his forage-cap low upon his brow, as tho' to conceal his pri- 
vate regrets from the public eye, he would retire to some 
distant shade, and there relieve his chocking emotions. 
The solemn silence, the sombre scenery, the soldiers curi- 
rously examining the pines which were raked by the can- 



*I the less regret the loss, and th a having to omit my chapter on the 0* 
mat j , si il and productions of Flo iJa, as I find ; ii thdse iopies have been 
▼ery copiously handled in many previous productions rela.ing to that Ter« 
ritory . 



CH. 10.] 



author's journal. 



211 



The Left Wing revisits the scene of Dade's massacre. 

non more than twice the height of the tallest Indians* — our 
men gathering up relics of the dead— treasuring a button 
from the uniform of an officer, extracting a bullet from the 
triangular stockade — that unfinished defence itself, a breast 
work scarce knee-high, telling volumes, contrasting with 
the few and faintly uttered comments which we made to 
each other on what all, but too well, understood to speak of 
haste or despair; — the grief depicted on visages whereon 
sorrow and sympathy having made their visible temples, 
dwelt twinn'd, and owning "no dividual being" — these, all 
these audibly said that the tribute of a tear, was not indeco- 
rous even in grown men and gallant ones. I tore myself away 
from this Aceldama, almost envying Geid. Gaines the 
chance or the conduct which, placing him earliest on the 
spot, had conferred upon him the proud, sad privilege of 
gathering up their manes. These funereal rites are de- 
scribed in a manuscript poem, whence the following verse 
is extracted. 

Lonely an] sad is th? spot where we laU them, 

In th i la i J of th i ^av i 3 M there in >al 1 vmg away, 

No a one mi ks th »r graves, b it m-ttaV-y nas nude them, 

A tomb in onr hearts that will never d-cay. 

It may not be uninteresting to add that M.tjor Dade's 
soldiers were generally from the middle states and from 
that green isle which has so often furnished more tiian 
Erin's quota of heroes and martyrs. But 

"We give in charge 
Th j ir nam^s toth e sw.et lyre. The histo-ic muse 
Proud of h^r treasure, mi eh »s wiih it down 
To la.est ii;n >s; a id Sc ilptnre in h^r tarn 
Gives bo:id, in stone, and ewr duri.jg brass, 
To g.ia.d thnn, and im.no. talize her trust." 

Till then, Bide county, shall be their memorial, and no 
youth may learn the geography of Florida, and not know 

* Pte» m >tive for directing so high, was subsequently explained to be, the 
tearing do*v;i ofth* branches thickest at that elevation, in order th it th. is 
ths savages might be exp 41 ed t'jom the hiding places, whence they had 
been firing at the troops with impunity. 



212 author's journal. [ch. 10. 

The Indians wound one man and t wo hcrses of the Left Wing. 

the history of their martydrom. The parent7as~she aids 
her little one with his school day task, shall repeat to him 
the incidents of the massacre; mingled tears, appropriate 
to the sex of the one and the age of the other, shall wet the 
map, and even the fiercer passions of man swell the ho- 
soms of the mother and her child. 

Camp Hampden, April 23.— Last night our camp was 
fired upon by a party of the enemy, who wounded one 
man and two horses. At day light* a mounted d< taehment 
Wus sent m pursuit of the Indians, but at the term it ation of 
a few miles, the trail was lost between some of the many 
hammocks and swamps aboundii g in this region. To day 
we recmssed the Ocklewahaw, which takes its rise in k,ke 
Lustis— formed by the accumulation of waters frem the 
great southern marshes. Its course is north until rear its 
dise-mboguemeiit into the St. John's with which it ru; s par- 
allel. As 1 came down upon it, having been sent with a 
paity in advance, I saw an Indian on the" other side. On 
my information, a compai y of mou. ted men was ser'tover 
as a guard to others who weie repairing the bridge we had 
constructed on our former passage. 

On our first arrival at the Ocklewahaw, Capt. Ashbv with 
promptitude and valour, volunteered to plunge in ai d curry 
over the line to which the centre stringer "was attached. 
Capt. J? ii ley, animat ed by the same fine spirit, soon follow, 
ed, and they secured the first timber on ti.e other bank. 

The Indians had endeavored to burn our work, in which 
attempt they were foiled by its being level with the water- 
but this last circumstance had injured it. 

In the neighborhood ol the great OcklL Waha, as this river 
is sometimes called, we found the only hw^ gopher, or land 
tortoise, except one that L't. Russel caught near Volusia, 
winch vve met with— although their holes, on the high, dry 
sand hills, were seen in hundreds. 1 have emitted my ac. 
count ol the gopher, as it is very fully described by Bar. 
tram, who says, that "it will easily carry anv man stanJin" 
on its back, on level ground." As the one vve s.,w was rot 
as large as a tuitle, which I found it to resemble in taste, 



[CH. 10. 



author's journal. 



213 



Major Watson and the Euchees.— -The Indians fire upon us. 

the cxperimei t was not made, but every other part cf Bar* 
train's description I confirm. 

When we arrived yesterday at the point, where, two 
miles from the scene of Dade's massacre, the trail to Volu- 
sia turns off from the Camp King road, my friends, J. W. 
Simmons and M.jor Watson, left us, and proceeded to fort 
King. We are not without apprehensions for their safety, 
as they had to ride till near midnight, to arrive at their halt- 
ing-place; and they are unarmed. Major W. came 0:1 to 
tender to Gen. Scott the services of five hundred warriors 
of the Euciiee tribe, which offer the Genera! accepted. But 
Major W. told me, that on his return to Georgia, for them* 
a communication from the Department at Washington, had 
the effect of preventing their joining our army. Gen. Scott 
to the Adjutant General, fort Drancv March 20th, writes that 
"Generals Woodward and Majs. Watson and Flouruoy,are 
strongly recommended to me, as su : table persons to direct 
the d< tuchmei t of five hundred Creek warriors." Of Major 
Watson's energy and activity, we had an instance at the 
Hillsborough, where? upon the teams being emperilled, he 
plunged in deep water to their aid, without knowing how to 
sw.m, and saved their lives, while endangering his own. Of 
the Euchees, whom he was to head, we may speak here- 
after. 

Just after our crossing the bridge, that we repaired at the 
Ockli-Waha, a few Indians emerged from a thicket* tnus 
coufirming my previous statement. Tney ascended an em- 
inence, and from its brow, fired upon us. but at a distance too 
great .or their balls to reacn us, as they had often before 
practiced. <_r their random rifle s'icts may have been in- 
tended as a mere taunting bravado, mferpr ted thus — well, 
ti.ere ye go, ye have entered our ancient boundaries, and 
are now retiring — you perceive that you leave us in posses- 
sion of the soil. 

Our present camp \ name in token of my reverence for 
the memory of au English opponent of arbitrary and op- 
pressive taxation. 

Camp Russel, April 24//i. — I have associated, in this and 
my preceding camp t.ties, names intimately allied in history. 



214 author's journal. ch. 10.] 

The Indians seen, shot at, and pursued. 

When we had marched but a Itttle wav this morning I being 
m advance of the main body, as w, s mv usual position, tYom 
the nature of my command— heard the report of a Hall's 
patei t r.fle, such as the mow ted men carried. Gen. Scott, 
who loved to keep in front, and was never fur behind, rode 
up to me. and suggested that it was an accidental discharge. 
I had scarce expressed my dissent, when a vollev from our 
men confirmed my impression, and we galloped on. We 
found that the mounted advance guard, under Cat t. Smith, 
had shot at a party of Indians. 

The enemy had slept within two miles of our last night's 
camping ground; and ignorant of our approach from the 
soutn, l»e was travelling the same trail from the north. Some 
ot the savages were fired on bv certain of the soldiers under 
my command, who think their balls reached their destii ation. 
Uapt. I orter, who commanded the foot advance, cried out to 
his company, with great promptitude, but with all his charw 
acteribiic coolness— "Into line— trail arms— q l S«°)z time— 
double quick— six paces extend— charge!" And so indeed 
they did, smash into the woods, and souse into the water— 
knee deep, waist deep. Col. Gadsden, not knowing what fear 
was, rapidly rode ahead, to the great exposure of ins person, 
ana reconnoiti ed the ground. On his return, he reported to 
Uen. fecott, that the hammock, into which the Indians had 
entered, was small, but that it was succeeded by a second 
and larger one, and that the effort should be to intercept 
them, ere they reached the latter. Thereupon Gen. Scott 
ordered two companies of mom ted men to flank the first 
hammock, and attack the enemy as he emerged. At the 
same time he or Gen. Eustis, who had by that time come 
up, directed Major Kirby's battalion to enter the uood, ai d 
drive the 1 dm s out upon the horse. The foot pushed 
through w.th gieat alacrity, although almost held back by 
innumerable clasping vines; their clctiu s hooked, and hai m 
torn by briars— their steps impeded by dei se wcod-iands, 
and sinking deep h to mud and water. I weary of stating 
the one ui changing result of almos all our efforts; and the 
reader will read.ly divine, that the foot could not come up 
near enough to tne Indians, to fire upon them, and that the 



CH. 10.] 



author's journal. 



215 



Packs, pouches, mocasins, &c. captured. — The Creeks. 

mounted men, after flai king a series of hammocks, found 
that the enemy were not to le found. 

When near the termination of the hammock, the foot 
discovered a trail by which they could proceed much more 
rapidly. The Indians must have entered the wood by this 
secret pass, and thus were enabled to flee so quickly, as 
not !o be overtaken by our men, who knew not thereof. 
This one fact will explain, as fully as a volume could, the 
cause of the often escape of the Indians, in their superior 
knowledge of the locations. Jn a word, they are on their 
own familiar grounds — we are "strangers in a" very 
"strange land." 

In their progress through the hammocks, the foot saw 
many evidences that the Indians had been hotly pursued 
by them, and to lighten themselves, had thrown down their 
packs, and denuded even of their hurting shirts. Among 
the articles so sjen, were mocasins. powder horns and 
pouches, b'gs, &c. In one of these last, was found an 
ivory whistle, having the name of its owner, Col. Franklin 
Elmore, cut upon it. On being shewn to his brother, Capt. 
Benj. Elmore, who, with his Columbia Volunteers, had 
charged the hammock, he, I think it was, stated that the 
Colonel had been travelling in the Alabama Creek coun- 
try the preceding summer, and, on his return, told him of 
the loss of this very whistle. 

The finding of this toy may seem unworthy of mention — 
yet a small matter som* times indicates a great deal, as the 
stirring of the tiniest feather will determine if the vital breath 
yU linger in the body of some beloved friend. The pres- 
ence of this whistle cos. firms and throws light on the state- 
ment that, List summer, several Creeks were repoited to 
Gen. Thompson as being in the Seminole nation. He in- 
stant y despatched a party to seize and bring them to the 
agency, but the effort failed, as the Creeks had hurried 
home, A brief while after, information was received at 
foit King from fort Mitchell, Alabama, of several Semi- 
noles having appeared among the Creeks, and that these 
Seminoles seemed to be acting as a deputation. The in- 
ference from this combin;.tion of Utile incidents, is almost 
irresistible, thai the JSeminoles circulated their war-beit 



216 author's journal. [ch, 10, 

Gen. Scott leave s the Left Wing, and proceeds to Volusia. 

among the Creeks, as they did even among the Winneba- 
goes, and that parties of the Creeks are acting as the allies 
of the Florida Indians, in the present war. 

About fifteen ponies were captured, which the Indians 
were le ading, with pack saddles laden with corn and beans, of 
which we had left on the road five or six barrels for want 
of transportation, and among other odds and ends, Col. Hui- 
et's marquee, which had been forgotten at one of our en- 
campments. These things are stated, not for themselves, 
but to illustrate how closely the Indians followed our camps 
as the wolves and bears visit theirs, all for the same pur- 
pose—the picking up of relics. By reason of the quantity 
of corn in sacks which we here found, this affair was dubb- 
ed the Battle of the Bags, in that spirit c f good humoured 
jest, with which, as already stated, I called the Okhump- 
ki skirmish, the Battle a la distance. 

When at the distance of twenty- three miles, Gen. Scott 
took an escort of two mounted companies, and proceeded 
to Volusia on the 24th. Finding there the U. S. steamer 
Essayons, he embarked in her, and with a guard ofonlv sev- 
enteen men, determined to penetrate, by the St. Johns, the 
southern part of the peninsula, as far as practicable. Col. 
Gadsden, Capt. Canfield, and Lieut. Johnson, accompanied 
him to note the course and depth of the river, togetherwith 
the general topography of the country. Thev found no 
difficulty in passu g up to the head of Lake Monroe, and 
migl t have carried to that point a draught of eight or nine 
feet of water. The distance ascended is two hundred miles 
from the mouth of the river, and sixty from Volusia. They 
found the river beyond the lake nearly as bold as below, 
and if they could have crossed the bar at the entrance, they 
did not doubt that they might have gone fifty or seventy 
miles further towards d.pe Florida; but unfortunate iy, their 
boat drew more than four feet, and they only found four on 
the bar. 

This reconnoissancc was made with a view to several 
objects; Gen. Scctt was anxious to discover whether the 
Indians In d any settlements on the upper part of the river; 
to find out the place of concealment for their women, chil- 
dren, and negroes; to give to the well disposed among the 



CH - 10 '] author's journal. 217 

Gen. Scott fired at by the Indians. L eft Wing at the St. John's. 

latter an opportunity of communicating with us; to observe 
trails and crossings, and particularly to find a good point as 
far in the interior as practical, for the establishing of a new 
post before the recommencement of active operations on 
our part. Such point Gen. S. found about eight miles below 
Lake Monroe on the east bank. A leading trail passes 
tln-ough it. Here he took the ferry canoe In ascend n, 
and here on returning, a sharp fire was thrown in upon 
him by a party of ten or fifteen Indians, who lav concea" 
ed in high grass on the west side. But for their S 
they might have killed the four officers who were sta ding 
exposed on the bow of the boat. They fired from a T<f 
tance of three hundred yards. * dlS * 

Volusia, April 28th.-The Left Wing arrived at the 
andmg or the St John's, at meridian, on The 25th, vet was 

hoTilh'fh " ' tr °° PS C ° uId effect a crossing al 

thougn the river here ,s not above two hundred yards wide 
Ascending the rolling land at this place, I found that i « 
formed of P ernv,nkle shells, which are said to be the 
via, of an insect, met with on the shores on the stream As 
viewed the prospect from an elevation which comma'nded 
tlie.mt.re scene, I was struck with its exceeding S 

"How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank." 
It seemed indeed a ''Midsummer's niirht dream » Tt,. 
stood fort Barnwell; here the river, "vhich eisomed in 
the impendent tree branches of either bank wn!T I J 
as the slumbers of infancy cradled in ttS'S 

tI: 3fS3r f k ; pt their , silent * - 

and Wu dt ! h magn , 0 u an Pei ' fUmeS ' mumiured l °w 
Onhefonh' h 1, h0meWard bee * " Ia «en with their sweets." 
un tne north hill, long rows of tents were extended like 

est C O r n an t e he V r g th SP1 ' eUd UP ° n the dark of the for 

est. Un the southern eminence, the far stretched linp nf 

t " ^ The re h Ceded ' f l° St t0 the ^holder in t m di 
tance. The bases of these heights were occuoi-d hv tL 

sleed^ The broad and beauteous n:oon, paling 



218 



author's journal. 



[CH. 10, 



Volusia viewed by moonlight. The attack at fort Barnwell. 

the ineffectual watch-fires, revealed the lone sentry on 
post, as 

"The imperial votaress pass'd on 
In maiden meditation, fancy — free." 

In the centre of the ample vale, a stately tree lifted its 
towering head above all meaner objects, and invested the 
soil beneath with its sombre shade, that contrasted with the 
surrounding, silvery light, as the emblematic coffin with the 
banquet at which the Egyptians ever introduced it. This 
comparison recalls the white paling that enclosed a single 
grave, over which two immense oaks o'er-arched their 
boughs, streaming with parasitical plants as though they 
were — tears. The nearness to each other of the head and 
foot stone, indicates a babe as the cold tenant of that silent 
tomb. At such a time, midnight, on such a spot, far from 
the abodes of civilization, 'neath the wan moon, ever min- 
istrant to melancholy, what sad conjectures thicken o'er us. 
Our sympathies are unselfish 'neath the purifying influ- 
ence of the solemn scene. O'er the tomb, to my view, pre- 
sides not black Despair, that breathes of annihilation, but 
bright eyed Plope, whispering an hereafter. Yet tristful 
thoughts will intrude while gazing on the grave of the babe 
here interred — the rose blighted — 

"With all its sweetest leaves yet folded.'* 

Haply, this head-stone is the last earthly effort of some 
woe- worn mother, in whose unexhausted and snowy fount 
of life, the lacteal tide was curdled up by stony grief. Per- 
adventure she dragged her feeble footsteps hither for many 
a weary mile, through thorns and briars — yet gathering 
sweetest flowers by the way side, to fling upon her infant's 
grave, but when here, bending o'er this little hillock of en- 
deared earth, could not weep, thus attesting that greatest ag- 
ony of choking sorrow, which knows not the solace of 
tears! 

On the 14th, while Sergeant Holiday and four men were 
digging the grave of Blocker, (who died of a wound re- 
oeived at the battle West of the St. John's, recorded at p. 



m io.] 



AUTHOR^ JOURNAL, 



219 



Gallantry and magnanimity of Major Gates. 

162) they were fired on by Indians concealed in a ham- 
mock. The Sergeant, and one of the party acting as 
sentinel, were shot down. The other three retreated to 
fort Barnwell, amid a shower of balls. The engagement, 
which lasted thirty minutes, became general, our men re- 
maining within the pickets. Major Gates, their much es- 
teemed commander, acted with great gallantry and mag- 
nanimity. For when groans were heard, the source of 
which was to be ascertained, and when fire was required, 
to discharge the howitzer, the Major, instead of sending 
forth a party for these purposes, went out himself, at the 
imminent hazard of his life. 

We have been discussing the point here, whether Major 
G. should have directed a sortie. To my view, it was al- 
together a question to be determined by his impressions at 
the time. He was entrusted with a most important depot, 
and of many sick, knowing not where else supplies could 
be procured, if these stores should fall into the enemy's 
hands. He had not heard of the Seminoles, nor from the 
Army, since the departure, from Volusia, of the Left Wing. 
He could only guess at the Indian force from the appear- 
ance they then presented. The nature of the ground here 
is calculated to defeat any accurate enumeration and fa- 
vours ambuscade. Major G. could not determine how ma- 
ny of the fifteen hundred savages, reported to have at- 
tacked Gen. Gaines, might be clown upon him. The offi- 
cers who were present, whom I have heard express their 
opinion, speak of the Major in the highest terms. Of him I 
know little, but I know the valor and lofty honor of these 
volunteers too well, not to receive their approval as a guar- 
antee for his good conduct. Had he displayed any want of 
courage, their expressions to us on our arrival, of withering 
indignation, would have forever blighted his now fair name. 
It is also argued, that the killed should have been brought 
in from the field and interred, at any and every hazard. 
That this is almost an axiom in the army, does honor to 
the bravery and humanity of the military character. Yet it 
is always a question, how far the survivors should be jeop. 
arcled for the procurement of the bodies slain. I have no 
doubt that, on this, as on the other topic, Major Gates acted 



220 



author's journal. 



[CH. 10. 



The Left Wing, under Col. Goodwyn, return to Augustine. 

honestly on the conclusions at which he fearlessly arrived. 
There are occasions when the effort to carry out the prin- 
ciple, of speedy possession of the killed, would be an useless 
expenditure of blood, and exposure of life— a feeling for the 
dead, but cruelty to the living. The practice of the In- 
diahs, not to abandon their slain, is founded solely in super- 
stition. For they believe that the scalped cannot enter the 
hereafter hunting grounds, which constitute their notion of 
a Heaven. 

St. Augustine, May 1st.— Generals Scott, Eustis and 
Bull, having left Volusia by water for Picolata, and Major 
Kirby's command (except the Columbia Volunteers) re- 
maining at that place, the rest of the Left Wing took up 
the line of march for Augustine, under the command of 
Col. Good vvyn, an excellent officer and most worthy gen- 
tleman. We started on the 28th, and the foot arrived yes- 
terday, having marched twenty-seven miles on the last 
day, the mounted men halting one mile from St. Augustine. 
We entered the city, the shabbiest, the most smoked, 
sun-burnt, torn down and worn out set. We had left it a 
trim, neat, fresh and vigorous regiment. There have been 
five hundred and seven sick under the care of Dr. Strobel, 
our Regimental Surgeon, during the campaign, and of these, 
not one died under his treatment, a success attributable on- 
ly to his medical skill and unceasing attentions to each and 
every patient. For Dr. S. was always at his post, and to 
his patients, not to his own ease or comfort, devoted him- 
self, by day and by night. He and his medical assistants, 
Messrs. Js. Simons and Jos. Bensadon, (two students who vol- 
unteered for the purpose of obtaining experience in the 
practice of Medicine and Surgery,) have their hands ful 
still. 

The following order was this day issued. 

Left Wing, Army of Florida, ) 
St. Augustine, May 1. $ 
ORDERS. 

The season has so far advanced, that active operations 
must of necessity be suspended, and the term of service of 



CH. 10. 



author's journal. 



221 



Gen. Eustis' farewell order to the So. Ca. Volunteers. 

the S. Carolina Volunteers has nearly expired. Arrange- 
ments must, therefore, be made for the return of these pa- 
triotic citizens to their State and to their homes. 

Transports have been sent for to convey the foot soldiers 
to Charleston; and depots of provisions and forage have 
been made for the supply of the mounted men as far as Da- 
rien, in Georgia. 

The spirit and promptitude with which the men of South- 
Carolina rallied at the first call, under the standard of the 
United States, the cheerfulness and alacrity with which thev 
sacrificed all personal interests to the public service; the 
zeal and perseverance with which they have sought the 
enemy; the gallantry which they have uniformly exhibit- 
ed, and the patience with which they have endured priva- 
tions and hardships, demand a meed of applause far beyond 
the humble praise of their immediate commander. 

Brigadier General Eustis deems it one of the proudest in- 
cidents of his military life, to have had the commmand of 
such men, all Carolinians, and congratulates them, as well 
as himself, on the perfect harmony which, from first to last, 
has pervaded all ranks throughout the line of the Left Wing. 
He hopes and trusts, that this cordiality of feeling may con- 
tinue through life, among all his present associates; and 
that, wherever we may meet, we may recognize each other 
as fellow soldiers and comrades of the Left Wing of the 
Army of Florida. 

By order of Bri*?. Gen. Eustis. 

J. H. PRENTISS, A. A. Adjt. Gen. 

Allen's Hotel, May 2d. — Well! here am I, sitting on a 
regularly built chair, in a real room, which I would not, 
just now, exchange for the tented field that Othello did 
"agnize as his thrice driven bed of down." For here is 
neither tattoo, nor reveille, nor scrub, nor gall, nor ham- 
mock. Alas! the form in which I would most love to see 
a tree, viz., as a vessel's mast, may not be viewed. Yet 
before me is a real mahogany table, and on it, those three 
luxuries called stationary — I suppose, because on a march, 
we never have them. Let me yield to the temptation 
19* 



author's journal. [ch. 10. 

Causes of the Campaign's fa iling—face of country, climate, &c. 

around my apartment, and write out some of the views to 
which recent events naturally give rise. 

To begin then at the end, the Campaign has turned out 
a failure. For, though it went forth whizzing and shining 
like a rocket, it has come back like the rocket-stick, falling 
low, a dull, heavy, inert, burnt out, thing. We are not in- 
aptly compared to a prize. ox, stung by hornets, unable to 
avoid, or catch, his annoyers; or we are justly likened to 
men harpooning minnows, and shooting sand pipers with 
artillery. While we are writing, the tomahawk is dripping 
with blood! A shudder comes over us as we reflect that, 
at this very moment, the Seminole may be dancing in tri- 
umph over the graves of Dade and his little band of mar- 
tyrs! And why did the Campaign fail? Ah! this is a fruit- 
ful mystery, and may receive as many solutions as the 
French Revolution had origins, and ell as different. To 
my view, the most prominent cause of failure was to be 
found in the face of the country, so well adapted to the guer- 
illa warfare which the Indians carry on, affording ambush- 
es and f istnesses to them, and retardation to us. In such a 
region, their strength was in the fewness, our weakness in 
the number, of our respective forces. A second source of 
failure arose from the climate, which did not permit active 
operations after the three months had expired, even though 
the volunteers had been mustered into service for °a 
longer term. A third cause, and closely connected with 
one of the previous, was the deficiency of the means 
of transportation. A fourth, and on which some of the pre- 
ceding sources of failure were dependant, was the conduct 
of the General Government, and of the Generals in the field. 
And first, of the General Government. Presidents and 
Ministers, like other men, can act only in obeisance to the 
lights they have received. But, by how much the more 
eminent the station, by so much more imperative the sol- 
emn duty, to keep well advised on all the topics in refer- 
ence to which we may be called on to act. The Departments 
at Washington, and I, here, consider the Presidency as one 
of them, were either wholly ignorant, erroneously inform- 
ed, or criminally apathetic, as to the affairs of Florida. I 
believe truth may be found, in the preceding proposition, as 



CH. 10.] 



author's journal. 



223 



Conduct of the President and the Departments at Washington. 

on most occasions, in the middle, and that they were ill ad- 
vised. But they well knew the number of treaties that 
had been made with the Indians, and should have known 
their reluctance to comply r They might have anticipated 
that difficulties would grow, nay, they must have known 
that difficulties had grown, out of attempts to coerce the 
Seminoles to adhere to their engagements. They should 
have exercised a liberality in expenditure, for early placing 
ample troops and stores at required stations, which would 
have proven the wisest economy, not to speak of humanity, 
character and the like. Promptitude, energy and vigilance, 
should have marked their whole procedure, and would have 
saved an immense subsequent expenditure of life and 
treasure. Had there been enough of U. S. troops at an 
early period, to protect the friendly Indians, many of them 
would never have joined the hostile Micasukies, as they 
were reluctantly compelled to do, for their own safety. 

If chilling delay, cold apathy, and cruel neglect, are to 
characterize the future steps of our administrations; if ruin 
is to stalk abroad unchecked, pillage unrestrained, and blood 
may flow unavenged; if pot only frontiers are to be devas- 
tated, but the entire country to be mortified, disappointed, 
and, in some sort, disgraced, by the signal and shameful fail- 
ure of our arms; and if a\\ these are to be matters of oft 
recurrence in the coming history of our campaigns, then, 
perhaps, a time may arrive, deplorable and dismaying in- 
deed to every heart that loves regulated libertv — when it 
will be neither madness nor treason to count the value of 
the political machinery recognized under the sounding title 
of, the General Government. 

For want of conveyance, twenty thousand rations had to 
be abandoned at Williams', on the Halifax, and when a 
steam boat was sent for them, it was found that the Indians 
had captured them all. Whence arose the awful deficien- 
cies of transportation and supplies? Why were not rations 
conveyed betimes and in steam boats? Why were depots 
selected, injudicious, because distant from the scene of op- 
erations? Why not an adequate force of U. S. Regulars 
and Volunteers sent, at once, to Gen. Clinch, an old and 
able Indian fighter, instead of waiting till Gen. Scott could 



224 author's journal. [ch. 10 

Conduct of the Generals in the field, and firstly, of Gen. Scott. 

come into the field from Washington, and gather, on the 
way, large masses of men, too cumbrous for rapid move- 
ments? Why were not hard bread and bacon (which re- 
quire not equal delay and difficulty in cooking) furnished in- 
stead of flour and pork? Why were poultry-wagons and 
old, broken down, horses, sent into a country requiring the 
best appointed trains and teams? If the Departments can- 
not shift from themselves the responsibility involved in the 
answers to these questions, they must be" content to stand 
out, as melancholy monuments of Governmental dilatoriness, 
and indifference to the sorrows and the sufferings of bleed- 
ing or butchered individuals. If not on any of the Depart- 
ments, on whom of its agents must rest the just indignation 
of all good men? On whose heads should the full phials of 
public wrath be broken? Must there not be some one or 
more to go down to posterity, on the impartial historic page 
of whom shall be recorded, in no stinted terms, the igno- 
rance and imbecility? c 

Secondly— Of the Generals in the field. In the progress 
of my journal, I have made some statements as to these, 
and will only briefly add thereto. With regard to Gen! 
Scott, I have said that he was habitually in the front rank; 
indeed, on all occasions, exposing his person more than justil 
fiable in a Commander-in-chief. So that, if any blame is 
to be attached to him on this score, it is for jeoparding too 
much the one head that was to think for all. ' If his brilliant 
achievements, on former occasions, had not already esta- 
blished his valor beyond all cavil, his conduct in this cam- 
paign would have done so. Nor may tactical science or 
experience be denied Gen. S. But did he display a com- 
petent knowledge of the country into which, or the foe 
against whom, he proceeded? 

It is the duty of even the humblest historian, not so much 
to discuss motives and merits, as to state facts. When I 
have once recorded events- the reader may judge of them 
as well as, or better than, the narrator. But lest I may be 
regarded as seeking an avoidance of the responsibilty 
which attaches to the expression of opinion, I declare mine, 
that Gen. S. erred in laying down too artificial a plan of ac- 
tion, not applicable to the particular occasion and peculiar 



CH. 10.] 



author's journal . 



225 



Gen. Jackson's energy, promptitude and valor might have failed here. 

enemy. His division of the Army into Right Wing, Cen- 
tre, and Left, and their discharge of heavy artillery, at 11 
o'clock each day. for several successive days, may be cited 
as examples. These means to reveal them to each other, 
also betrayed their presence to the Seminole, and enabled 
him to avoid them. The moving but in three bodies, by 
only three routes, caused delays in procuring sufficient pro- 
visions, and difficulties in carrying them, when so procured. 
It also prevented frequent excursions, such as could have 
been made by smaller parties, into bye-places and hiding 
holes, wherein the enemy might have been found, and 
whence routed, sooner than by adhering to a main road or 
principal trail. 

I have heretofore described Gen. Scott's humane atten- 
tions to the sick, and his courtesy to the lowest as well as 
to the highest soldier. Without perusing all the orders he 
received" and gave out, it is impossible to decide, how far 
the failure of the campaign is owing to Gen. S. I believe 
it to be very little, if at all so, and that, under the same dis- 
advantages, like results would have followed, though almost 
any other General had been charged with the conduct of 
the campaign. Gen. Jackson himself, whose energy, promp- 
titude, decision and boldness, peculiarly fit him for a com- 
mand of this kind, might have failed here. I have been in- 
formed, on very high authority, that Gen. Scott complied 
with the letters *of instruction he received, but did not find a 
like compliance with those he issued. Thus, his requisi- 
tions always were for three-fourths bacon and hard bread, 
and but one-fourth flour and pork. The effect of Gen. 
Gaines' movements, and information to the Indians, should 
also be borne in mind. 

But the campaign, of many against a few, having been un- 
fortunate, fatally so; the lustre of our military fame being 
tarnished, by not subduing a despised_ foe; the public mind 
will naturally become astounded, agitated, angered. The 
bolts of their indignation must be directed to some point, 
and they will probably fall upon Gen. Scott, not so much 
from his ascertained culpability, as from his position as 
Commander-in-chief. The tallest tree is earliest riven by 
the lightning of the flashing storm. The world may have 



326 author's journal. [ ch , 10. 

Gen. Eustis' high courage, but cold, stern, and repulsive manriew.1 

seen enough of Generals bearing off the palm of victories 
won by their soldiers, and may consider there is some re- 
tnbutive justice in, for once, accumulating, upon the head 
ot the bghest officer in command, all the faults of all the 
agents. But m such a course, I perceive neither justice 
nor generosity. 

With regard to Gen. Eustis, the effort would be idle and 
worse than idle, to detract from his pre-established reputa- 
tion for high courage. His whole history, before and du- 
ring the campaign, repels the idea, and my remarks of 
Uen. Scott, on this point, apply with equal force to Gen. E. 
As to his manners, I have spoken in my journal at Tampa, 
and need only add, that they were illy adapted to the eer. 
tlemen he commanded. The Brigade from South-Carolina 
contained some of the choicest of her sons. It is not for 
me to laud them, but I may be permitted to say, they were 
ot the same sterling material as composed the commands 
irom Georgia, Louisiana, and Alabama. May I add, that 
the volunteers from the South are of a frank and enthusiastic 
temperament Led on by the chivalry and self-devotion of 
a Bayard, a Sir Philip Sydney or a James Hamilton, there 
:sno achievement so daring that they would not have at- 
tempted, no victory so brilliant that they might not have 
accomplished. It was therefore the error of Gen. Scott, 
that he placed over them a commander of cold, stern, and 
repulsive disposition, or it was the fault of Gen. Eustis, that 
he did not adapt his conduct to his command— his misfor- 
tune and ours, if he could not. I speak with the freedom, 
but a so with the impartiality of history. In my own per- 
son, I have nothing to complain of, at the hands of Gen. E. 
My position required me to confer with him, at least twice 
during every day, and, generally, much oftener. Against 
his deportment to me, on all these occasions, I have nothing 
to alledge, and my fellow-officers of the campaio-n will re- 
member my iteration of this my experience, whenever they 
have spoken, m my presence, of the General's harshness or 
abruptness. ' 

At pages 109, 110, and 172, I have stated wherein Gen. 
Kustis was commendable; I proceed to point out how he 
was faulty. Gen. E. never communicated to the South- 



ch. 10.] author's journal. 22? 

The S. C. Brigade regarded Gen. Eustis as one over, but not of, them. 

Carolina Brigade, as a body, (nor individually, that I am 
aware) that he entertained any cordiality of feeling with 
them, or concurrence in the impulse that led them on. He 
never revealed himself to them as their commander, on any 
dress parade, or other occasion of their assemblage. Had 
he harangued them at the onset, in the spirit of his final 
order, (p. 220) and acted out the sentiments therein con- 
tained, or had he, through any medium, caused them to 
know the very high estimate which, it seems, he formed of 
them, and his resolve to afford them every opportunity of ga- 
thering laurels, how different, how much happier would have 
been the result. But in the absence of all this, so far from 
its ever being remotely surmised, that Gen. E. entertained 
any favorable opinion of the volunteers in the Left Wing, 
not only were they unapprized of his sentiments, but his 
very person was unknown to many, perhaps to most of 
them, for two months out of the three which constituted 
their term of service. His citizen's dress, and total disuse 
of sword, or other badge of office, aided to keep from them 
a knowledge of the personal identity of their commander* 

Of the General's attention to the sick, I know nothing; of 
his harshness to them, I have heard much, and on very suf- 
ficient authority. But certain it is, that, as to the well, he 
very early contrived to alienate the friendliness of the offi- 
cers, and shut out that social intercourse and harmony 
which should ever exist. This check to courteous inter- 
change, wherewith the field officers were infected, spread 
like the plague-spot among the troops, and extended its de- 
leterious influence to the humblest soldier. The sad effect 
of this forbidding aspect, in which they viewed Gen. Eustis, 
was to cut off communication, and thus to prevent com- 
plaints which, had they been made, he might have relieved. 
His being regarded as one over them, but not of them, 
kept him uninformed of hardships, which he could have 
lessened, and of irritations he might have assuaged. In 
this connexion, it is due to the General to state, what I have 
heard from a very competent source, that he did not know 
of all these things; that he actually believed that his com- 
mand always had full and ample rations; that he was proud 
of commanding Carolinians, and his farewell order con- 



228 AUTH OR'S JOtTKNAL. [ CH . J0 t 

Gen. Eustis' f aults and merits. Gen. Gaines. 

he, strangely, chose to conceal this high regard, and unfor' 
tunately, to shroud his esteem in silence. Bv his distant 
demeanor lie impressed them with the belief; that he was 
utterly indifferent, and by his rough replies, that he either 
knew not what would wound them, or was, purposely, con 
tumehous. And it goes very little way to excuse a com. 
maimer from the infliction, on his soldiery, of pain or pri- 
vations, to state however truly, that he was ignorant there- 
ol. fie should have known their sufferings— it is his sacred 
duty to pretermit no opportunity of ascertaining them 

As to the deficiency of supplies and means of transporta- 
tion, it shouk, be borne in mind, on behalf of Gen. Eustis 
that he was subject to receive, and obligated to obey, or' 
ders No man is better acquainted than he, with the un- 
yielding military maxim, that the .officer of inferior erade is 
not to judge of, but to execute, the instructions of hissupe' 
nor; and that obedience, prompt and full obedience, to posi- 
tive and precise orders from proper authority, is the one 
iron word that constitutes the whole vocabulary of the reffu 
kr service. The conduct of the campaign was neither 
planned by, nor entrusted to, Gen. E., only that of the Left 
Wing, and therein but so far as not directed bv his superi- 
ors in command. I am informed hy a highly honorable 
and intelligent officer, having the best Jpp'ortSe of 
knowing, that Gen Eustis was indefatigable in his exS ons 
to procure all possible facilities; that when the three dTvi 
sions of the army met at Tampa, it was remarked that he 
had provided his Wing better than were the Ri^ht or Cen! 
tre; that he subsisted on the same fare as the privates, and 
not unfrequently, gave up his rations to then * W 
all these things stated on the information of another I 
know nothing of my own. But I do know that anothe 
correct and enlightened gentleman, who had moved with 
both Wngs, was strongly impressed with the superiority of 
the facilities of the Right. 1 y 

For Gen. Gaines I have, on page 104, expressed my 

*The Emperor Trajan, and his successor Adrian knew «-. n »k„ „ 
of every sold.er in their armies, and were famili^withTe men then^C 



CH. 10.] 



author's JOURNAL. 



229 



Gen's. Gaines and Clinch — Other cause of the campaign's failing. 

esteem and respect as an old, an experienced and gallant 
soldier, entitled to great credit for the promptness and en- 
ergy with which he entered upon the discharge of what 
he believed to be his duties, and my regret for the result of 
certain of his movements — checking and consuming stores, 
and forewarning the foe of the force coming against them. 
I do not suppose, nor would I be understood as affirming, 
that General Gaines ever directed or advised the sus- 
pension of supplies. And the General is entitled to 
the benefit of the statement, that large supplies were at 
Tampa when he left there, and more were daily expected, 
and that the detention there of Col. Lindsay's forces await- 
ing orders, contributed to the deficiency, if any occurred. 
Gen. G. was placed in circumstances where a "forward 
march" would be blamed by some, his retrogression cen- 
sured by others, and inaction, by all. He magnanimously 
chose that path wherein stood peril to himself, but by tread- 
ing which, he might avenge the massacred, succor the dis- 
tressed, and save the endangered, His conduct, judged 
by its effects, I would condemn, but estimating it as I al- 
ways do that of any other man, from his motives. I deem 
it pure and patriotic. 

Of Gen. Clinch, I have already spoken at p. 204. and 
will only add, that while this able commander resembles 
Trajan, not only in being deservedly called the father of 

his people, but in the many virtues of that Emperor he 

exhibits in the republican plainness of his fare, dress and 
manners, all the simplicity which won for Fabricius the 
strong approval of his Roman countrymen. In the battle 
of the 31st December, with his regulars and the volunteers 
under Gen. Call, as in every other engagement, Gen. 
Clinch did all that skill and valour could effect. 

I regret the length to which these remarks have extended, 
but ere I close I must briefly state three other causes of the 
campaign's failure. The first was, the want of cooperation 
between the respective divisions of the Army, according to the 
spirit of instructions, and plan of the campaign. Could Gen. 
Eustis and Col. Lindsay have been on the north of the 
Ouithlacoochee, and in the forks of that river, on the day 
that Gens. Scott and Clinch had flushed the enemy on the 



230 aut hor's journal , [ CH . 10 

False positions assumed as Depots . Underrating the foe, 

south, and driven him through the Cove to the niliSh, ami 
into the forks, the respective wings might have played into 
each other s hands with great effect, and possibly with a 
result far different from that we have to regret. 

The second additional cause was, the false 'positions as. 
sumed as depots. Picoiata was not less than sixty-five miles 
from fort Drane, and eighty-five from fort King, the road 
being very bad m wet weather, and almost impassable.— 
Jrorts Drane and King had no natural relation to the fron- 
tier, and were themselves distant thirty to thirty-five mile* 
from the point whereat operations had to be commenced, 
i nus many miles of extra wagoning, were rendered neces- 
sary ere supplies could be thrown into the nation. And this, 
m the face of the fact, that posts high up the St. John's 
could have been found; and the Ouithlacoochee, within a 
very few miles of Powell's position, occupied at a point to 
which the munitions of war might have been furnished by 
sea. The mouth of the Ouithlacoochee has recently been 
explored, by a detachment of sixty volunteers, under the 
command of Major M'Lemore, and the important fact as- 
certained, that the channel has four feet water. The Cedar 
Keys are twenty miles north, have a good harbor, and can 
be made a depot for provisions and stores, which can be 
sent by boats up the Ouithlacoochee to the rapids, within 
eight miles of the battle ground, where the block-house has 
been erected. 

The last supplementary cause which I shall state, was the 
under-rating the enemy, both as to numbers and capabilities, 
contrary to the military maxim, never to despise opoosition, 
or count upon the fewness or feebleness of the opponents. 
This error is apparent in the report of the Adjutant Gen. 
to the Secretary of War, dated Feb. 9, 1836, and in Gen. 
Scott's remark to Capts. Rogers, Lee, and Williams, of the 
Louisiana volunteers, that "in less than twelve days from the 
time he left fort Drane, he would have the pleasure of ship- 
ping off the hostiles, and disbanding his army." For the very 
signal manner in which Gen. Eustis under-estimated the 
Indians, see his statement to the Charleston Committee, ante 
p. 108, Jan. 6th, and his calculation that it would require but 
ten days to proceed from Volusia to Pilaklikaha, subdue the 



CH. 10.] 



AUTHORS JOtHRNAL. 



231 



Old Augustine described. The Public Square. Fort Marion, 

foe and return. Even the meritorious, and now martyred 
Dad e, had been heard to declare, that he could march, with 
impunity, through the nation with 100 men. Officers and 
privates alike, under-rated the enemy, as is manifested at our 
p. 83, and by the remark, that fishing-rods would be more 
useful than rifles, on the Ouithlacoochee. 

May 11th. — Transport at length coming in— the volun- 
teers leave, with transport, to-morrow, for Carolina. A word 
at parting from old Augustine. On my arrival in January, 
at this most ancient city in America, Mexico excepted, a cur- 
sory observer might have described it, by the one word, de- 
solation. The oft abandoned mansions, closed stores, the 
hush of the once busy hum of commerce, the crumbling piles, 
all embodied the ideal of a city dying daily. Upon its ruins 
seemed to sit, brooding and enthroned — the giant image of 
Dilapidation. But now, in blooming May, to a meditative 
mind, wherein the flame of romance has not been utterly 
quenched by the tears and dampening realities of life, it is far 
otherwise. The contemplative, looking back with history, 
and forward with hope, perceives the germ of renovation 
in the antean powers of art, and buoyant tendencies of man. 

There are. too, fine residences here, well libraried, where 
cultured taste has transplanted the forest flower, to adorn 
the city hearth. The government house, (containing post- 
office, court room, records, and, till interrupted by the war, 
an atheneum,) with its enclosure, forms the western line of a 
beautiful, grass-encarpeted, public square, having in its cen- 
tre a column, the inscription on which, "Plaza del Consti- 
tucion," sufficiently attests the purport of its erection, by 
the Cortez. On the southern edge of this square, stands 
the Episcopal church, a neat and modest structure, the 
amiable and intelligent pastor of which, deservedly receives 
the respect and esteem of his enlightened congregation. 
But the Cathedral, at the north of the square, its solemn 
chime, its ancient forms, ritual, and architectural, its silver 
candelabre, its paintings of St. Joseph,- St. Aug istine, and 
Purgatory — its antique ornaments, have a charm for me, 
which newness and freshness cannot impart 

Fort Marion, situate on a line with the city gate, at the 
north, is of tabbia, massy and well modelled, and if in good 



232 au thor's JOURNAL. [ch. 10. 

Fine Society in Augustine. The disarming of the Militia of that City, 
repair, and duly manned, could hold out against almost any 

l°T' ■ l S a Square bmldin g> with a rampart twenty feet 
high— it is bastioned and casemated, having a parapet nine 
feet thick, and a moat, which may be flowed at any moment 
being near the water, whence I first beheld it, as I approached 
tap city, carriedJike Arion of old, by the Dolphin. About two 
years ago, one of its many subterranean dungeons, not pre- 
viously known, was discovered, and opened, when several 
human skeletons-were found. The remains of the unfortu- 
nate tenants of these vaults were seen by the volunteers, 
during our thirty days sojourn at Augustine, in January and 
i: ebruary. Fort Marion was completed in the reign of Fer- 
dinand VI. 1756, as might have been read on the now worn 
inscription, beginning "Reynando en Espaiia el Senor Don 
h ernando sexto," &c. I have described this tower at some 
length, because such a building cannot elsewhere be seen in 
our country, but barracks like St. Francis', or better, may 
be met with any where. I therefore only add, that they are 
occupied by the U.S. soldiers; and the observatorv furnishes 
the most commanding view that can be had of \Wustine 
and its suburbs. 

. Tbe society of this city is composed of American, Flori- 
dian, Spanish and Minorcan families. In gratitude for many 
delightful hours passed with certain of them, I must be per- 
mitted to express my deep sense of their intelligence and 
refinement, their polished manners and elegant hospitality. 

_ The Left Wing arrived here just in the season of posy- 
nights, flower-altars, promenades, serenades, lemonades, re- 
freshing showers, gentle sea-breezes, sweet moon-light, and 
all that sort of thing. 

I had intended to speak fully of the disbanding of the mi. 
litia of this city, by Gen. Eustis— but all I can now do, is 
to evince my view of this affair, by stating the advice I this 
day tendered to some of the most influential citizens. I urged 
them to apply to my native state, for the loan of arms; and 
if any body then required them to be surrendered to him, 
that they should bid him come and take them. The gentle- 
men of Augustine should feel no distinction between the Sem- 
inole who would destroy, and the American who would dis, 
arm — and both should be resisted unto death. 



ch. 10.] author's journal. 

The Florida Lands. The Seminole Chiefs. Oceola. 

Of the Lands of this country. I can now only briefly give 
the general character. East" of the St. John's, they are 
mostly light. Sands of different granulations, and sandy 
loams, based upon limestone or clay, are chiefly found; in- 
deed, the Peninsula of Florida may be said to be based upon 
soft, calcareous rock. Its lightness unfits it for a sac- 
cession of exhausting crops, but, when thrown into old fields, 
the land soon renovates itself, from a fertilizing principle, 
which pervades the air, and subsides to the earth. This 
principle is generated from the saline particles which are 
carried from the sea to the soil. Owing to this, and the 
warm climate, some fields have produced well, though they 
had been fifty years under cultivation. Soil, which, on tiie 
surface, appears to be poor, is known to be fertile — such as 
some of Gen. Hernandez', and much other good land east of 
the St. John's. On the west of this river, the country be- 
comes more rolling and hammocky. These hammocks 
contain some of the richest spots in the world, and would 
bear a series of crops, without need of artificial irrigation. 
When peace again dawns upon Florida, many tracts may 
become the object of very profitable speculations, or settle- 
ments. Tne volunteers generally, may not have formed as 
favorable an i lea of the soil, as they would have done, had 
they diverged to the right and left. Whereas they pur- 
sued pre-established trails and roads, which have not been 
made through the most fertile regions, 

At Sea, tie vr Savannah, Mjij loth — Here we are, the ves- 
sel in a dead calm, and we in a furious rage. We — that is, 
Col. Brisbane and staff, Capt. Henry and his Irish volunteers, 
left Augustine on the 12th, in the Waccamaw, Capt. Budd. 
We have a good schooner, skilful master, and fine — every- 
thing but wind. Tiie hours may as well be whiled away in 
recording some account of the Seminole Chiefs. To com- 
mence this time, at the commencement, I will speak first of 
him who has most attracted the public gaze. Powell, Powel, 
Osceola, Oceola, Asse-ola, Osini-ola, Assiniya-hdla— are 
the various names by which he is designated. They are 
just the number of the cities which boasted H omer's nativity. 

Oceola's mother, after the death of his father, married a 
'pale face* of the name of Powell, after whom the step-son 
20* 



233 



234 author's journal. 



fcH. 10. 



Oceola, the Rising Sun, or the g urgling Tea drinker, 
^o^irr^il^. Osceola, or OceolaT^itWlhe 
Rising Sun-seems a title applicable to an individual who 
has blazed on the eye after a night of obscurity. But all who 

spang of 183s, are aware that he is, 

"One whose orb of fame 
Yet slowly laboured up from Time's abyss 
1 o its un waning noon." 

The name of Asse-ola is derived from Asse, the black 
annk or physic drink, wherewith the Indians purify, pre- 
viously to the corn-dance festival or going into Council. It 
acts as an emetic, and they believe its effects to be moral as 
wed as physical, and that it casts out all untruth. Ola is a 
cataract or waterfall, and the whole word is translated, "the 
gurgling or noisy tea drinker." Oceola being said to make 
a great noise when drinking it, was so called ere he became 
the luminary he now is. Osiniola and Assiniyahola, are sim- 
ply the names of the black drink which is concocted from 
the leaves and tender shoots of the cassine and of which he 
is said to take a great deal and to be called after it. But 
to proceed from worfe-ttrthings, (though Mirabeau said, 
words were things)— our hero is of the Talcy tribe and has 
cnarge of them. Latterly, he connected himself with the 
Micasukies, and recognized as his immediate Chief, Olate- 
Mico, or Blue King— one of the deputation to Washington, 
in 1827, to which we have heretofore alluded. At the Coun- 
cil in April, 1835, at Fort King. Oceola assigned as an ex- 
cuse for not subscribing the treaty,that Olate-mico disapprov- 
ed of it. That this was a mere pretext, to conceal his own 
opposition, seems probable from the known influence which 
this warrior wielded even at that time. And when Oceola 
was confined, he promised, if released, to procure the signa- 
tures of the Micasuky Chiefs to the treaty. They did so 
subscribe it, and he was, accordingly, released. 

This gifted individual is about 30 years of age, 5 feet 10 
inches high, rather slender than stout — but elegantly form- 
ed—of remarkable litheness of limbs, yet capable of iron 
endurance, something of the Apollo and Hercules blended, 
or rather the easy grace, the stealthy step and active spring 
of the tiger. His grandfather was a Scotchman, his grancL 



CH. 10.] 



author's journal* 



235 



Oceola's fame did not flash like a Sun-burst upon all. 

mother and mother were full Indians. His father was, of 
course, a half breed and Oceola is therefore a quarter-blood, 
or one-fourth white, which his complexion and eyes indicate, 
being much lighter than those of the Indians generally. — 
When conversing on topics agreeable to him, his counte- 
nance manifests more the disposition of the white than of 
the red man. There is great vivacity in the play of his fea- 
tures, and when excited, his face is lit up as by a thousand 
fires of passion, animation and energy. His nose is Gre- 
cian at its base and would be perfectly Phidean, but that it 
becomes slightly arched. There are indomitable firmness 
and withering scorn in the expression of his mouth — tho' 
the lips are tremulous from the intense emotions which 
seem ever boiling up within him. About his brow, care and 
thought and toil have traced their channels, anticipating, 
on a youthful face, the havock and furrow-work of time. 

To those who have known Oceola long, his fame does 
not appear like a Sun-burst, but as the ripening fruit of ear- 
ly promised blossoms. For years past, he has enjoyed the 
reputation of being the best ball player and hunter and the 
most expert at running, wrestling and all active exercises. 
At such times, or when naked, his figure, whence all su- 
perfluous flesh is worn down, exhibits the most beautiful 
development of muscle and power. He is said to be in- 
exhaustible from the ball play, an exercise so violent that 
the struggle for mastery has been known to cause the death 
of one of the combatants. When this occurs in a fair con- 
test, the survivor is not punished for murder, as in all other 
cases of taking life. On one occasion, Oceola acted as 
guide to a party of horsemen, and finding that, at starting, 
they proceeded slowly, he enquired the cause. On being 
told that it was on his account, with one of those smiles he 
alone can give, he bade them proceed more rapidly. They 
put spurs to their steeds, and he, a-foot, kept up with them 
during the entire route, nor did he exhibit the slightest 
symptoms of fatigue, at the close of day, but arrived at the 
point proposed, as early as the mounted body. To Col. 
Gadsden, sole Commissioner at the Treaty of Payne's Lan- 
ding, Oceola rendered good service, at the head of thirty 
or forty warriors, posting himself nearer to the Colonel's 



^36 author's journal. [ch. 10. 

Oceola acted as Agent for Miconope. Oceola's Lieut. Tom. 

position than the other Indians, and saving, he was more 
like the white man than they. He did Dot sigh the treaty 
then and there made, nor did he refuse so to do. The fact 
is, he was never asked to subscribe his name thereto, being 
at that time, but a Tustenugge and of little note. This trea* 
ty must not be confounded with the subsequent agreement 
that Oceola finally signed, and into which he is saicf to have 
plunged his knife, when called on for his signature. The 
negotiations at Payne's landing were in the time of Tucka- 
seeEmathla, or the Ground Mole Warrior, Chief of the 
Micasuky tribe, (see ante p. 65.) At that date it was not 
known of Powell, as Cotton Mather says of Roger Will- 
iams, in his Magnolia, that "the whole country "was soon 
like to be set on fire by the rapid motion of a wind mill in 
the head of this one man." 

Oceola acted ag agent for Miconope, who is an imbecile, 
in reducing to subjection the Micasukies, who are not only 
the most numerous and powerful, but the most desperate and 
insubordinate tribe, By his boldness and energy, he al- 
ways succeeded in bringing them in to receive punishment 
for offences committed — latterly he would beg them off. and 
finally went over to them, as one of their Chiefs. The U. 
S. Officers, as well as the Indians, all looked to Oceola to 
secure offenders — knowing his resolution and. prowess. — 
And for this purpose, as well as to restrain the Seminoles 
within their limits, he has taken more pains, and endured 
more fatigue, than any four of the Indians put together. 
He is of elevated and upright character, and was of kindly 
disposition till put in irons, which converted, to gall, the milk 
of human kindness in his bosom — roused his fiery indigna- 
tion, unquenchable but by blood, and excited him to deep 
seated, ample revenge. 

Oceola's agency, and that oi his Lieutenant Tom. in 
Omathla's death, ante p. 67, and his killing Gen. Thomp . 
son, with the rifle presented him by the General, ante p. 69, 
militate against the favorable estimate of his character. 
But that all his goodly feelings were not utterly eradicated, 
is proven by an incident, in the interview with Gen. Gaines' 
command. On that occasion. Oceola anxiously inquired 
after Lieut. John Grahame, and on being informed that he 



CH. 10.] 



author's journal. 



237 



Oceola has two better halves. The Seminoles seldom Trigamists. 

was wounded, stoutly denied it. On being asked why he 
was so positive that Lieut. G. was unhurt, he replied that 
he had imperatively ordered his people never to molest 
that young man, and he knew no one who would dare diso- 
bey him; none should, and live! It was then admitted, that 
though the brothers, Grahame, had been wounded, yet Lt. 
G. had escaped injury; at which admission Oceola greatly 
joyed. It seems that Powoll has a little daughter, to whom Lt. 
G. was kind, and had presented with frocks, in which the 
young girl, who srew very fond of him, always insisted on be- 
ing dressed, whenever she perceived Lieut. G. (for whom 
she often looked out) coming to visit her. Oseola ; s motive 
in sparing Lieut. G. was gratitude for attention to his child, 
which he also endeavored to repay by teaching the Lieut, 
the English language, for he speaks a little English, and is 
very intelligent. 

Powell has two wives, as is common with the Indians, 
but they are rarely Trigamists. His two better halves live in 
perfect harmony, having one table in common, but occupy- 
ing separate 'dodges." They are both young and comely; 
one of them is particularly pretty. They yield passive 
obedience to his vigorous intellect, and expressions which 
partake the character of his mind. His words are ever 
few, but apposite; see ante pp. 62, 63. At the conclusion 
of the Talk, p. 126, I have sketched his Lofty mien and 
manly bearing. His address is courteous and affable, and 
his smile is witchery. Like most Indians, he is fond of a 
joke, the opinion that savages are always grave, being er- 
roneous. His shake of the hand, like every thing from 
him, leaves a lasting impression, and if he have not a vice 
in his fingers, he has a vicious way of using them. Oceola 
is greatly ambitious, and like other Indians, revengeful, the 
lex talionis heading their bloody code. S:> that his con- 
duct, like that of more civilized men, is made up of mixed 
motives, having just enough of the salt of patriotism to pre- 
serve the character from the taint of corrupting selfishness. 
What Shakspeare says of Cassius, applies to Oceola, and 
on seeing him, one would be very apt to repeat with Caesar, 

"Woaldhe were fatter," &c. 



§38 author's journal. 



[CH. 10. 



Miconope, nephew of King Payne, wherein like un to a Trojan fiero. 

Miconope's name is compounded of Mico, a kinjr, and 
annuppa, topmost. He is about sixty years of age, and is 
the nephew of King Payne, whom we have mentioned in 
chapter 2d, and who was killed in 1812, in an action with 
Gen. Ncwnan. The uncle of the "Pond Governor," as 
the compound name is also translated, distinguished him- 

5™ a T'-' ° f 18i2 ' At pa § e 35 ' we have g^en his 
name and its import. 

On the death of Islapaopaya, the 'top Chief succeeded to 
he inheritance although not the son of Payne or Bow- 
legs; and Sitarky, who was next in authority, was the ne- 
phew of Payne. The Indians consider themselves more 
nearly related on the maternal side. The authority of a 

wit! fth C T ' R a " d Pr ° perty WaS devised in accordance 
with this idea. But m 1825, the principle was altered, at 

the suggest-on of Col. Humphries, 1 and the office of h ad 
Chief became elective. John Hicks was chosen by the 
voice of the nation without regard to the hereditary claims 
of Miconope, which were strongly urged bv the royol fam- 
Gandhis immediate adherents, who stood "up for the «ri°ht 
divine, ior two days. Hicks dying, Miconope, by com- 
mon consent, and without formal election, became the 
cniei Chief. He declares that he was always opposed 
to tha treaty oi Payne's landing, and that he never signed 
„' , crown - which was given to '-Cow-keeper," 

uncle of old Payne, by the British Government, for aid in 
the American Revolution. The Governor is of low, stout, 
and gross stature, and what is called loggy. in his move 
ments-his face is bloated and carbuncled, eyes heavy and 
dull and with a mind like his person. Col. Gadsden told 
me that, at Payne's Landing, after having double rations, 
he complained of starving. He reminds me of the heroes 
of the Trojan war, who could eat up a whole lamb, or half 
a cau. He owns near one hundred negroes, and a We 
stock of cattle and horses. The 'top Governor' has two 
wives, one a very pretty squaw, and the other a half breed 
negress. Sue is the ugliest of all ugly women, and recalls 

ninr ag i of Bo ;r e of the Frizzled Head > in pauid^ k 0 . 

mngsmarke. The orange blossoms at Pilaklikaha, braided 
in such raven ringlets as Bombie's!!! See ante p. 174. 



CH. 10.] 



author's journal. 



239 



Jumper or Ote-Mathla. Abram or Yobly. Return to Carolina. 

Jumper, or Ote-mathla, is a Seminole, although he denies 
it, and objects to being so called, boasting his descent from 
a distinguished race, of which he is the sole survivor. 
From these causes, he and his father-in-law, Miconope, 
fell out, and the Governor took away his daughter, till 
peace was restored in the family. Jumper was certainly 
eminent among the old Seminoles, and is now the first in 
the council, as Oceola is in the battle field — the former be- 
ing the Nestor or Ulysses, the latter being the Ajax or 
Achilles of these modern antiques. For there is much re- 
semblance between the Indians and early Greeks, though 
I've not space to illustrate it. But see Sophocles and Eu- 
ripides as to inexorable fatality and blind destiny; also 
Thucydides' account of the habits of the Greeks. The 
crafty and designing Ote-mathla, is tall and well made, his 
face narrow but long, forehead contracted, eyes small but 
keen, nose prominent, countenance repulsive, and its ex- 
pression indicative of sinister feelings. He is an orator, 
and what is better, a man of sense, and brave warrior. 

Abram, or Yobly, as the Indians call him, is the chief 
Interpreter, and latterly succeeded Jumper as "sense car- 
rier" to Miconope. This high chancellor and keeper of 
the king's conscience, also heads about five hundred ne- 
groes, of whom he is legislator, judge, and executioner, 
through his influence with the Governor. Yobly ran away 
from the whites at Pensacola while a lad, and like many of 
his blacks, dreads peace which would restore them as pro- 
perty. He is forty-five years of age, his figure is large, 
his face broad and square, having the thick lips of a full 
blooded negro. He is plausible, pliant and deceitful; and, 
under an exterior of profound meekness, cloaks deep, dark, 
and bloody purposes. He has at once the crouch and the 
spring of the panther, and certain traits of his character li- 
ken him to the Cardinal De Retz. 

Charleston, June 20th. — We arrived here a month ago, 
and were received, but need I say how? We were Caro- 
linians, welcomed home by Carolinians. That will tell 
all, and if it do not, the printer tells me that the last "form 
of my book is already made up." But my feelings will not 



240 author's jodskax. [ ch , 10. 

The Author, unmoved by menaces, meted out Justice. His farewell. 

permit me to conclude, without acknowledging myself in- 
debted to W Simmons, Morse, Paine, White. whoS I ha e 
not previously named, and in the Map, to the labours and 
science of Colonels Gadsden, Brisbane and Humphries, Dr 
Strobe! Major C and Capt. T. Parker, and the skilful gra- 
vers of Messrs. Keenan and Sherwood. S 

One word more and I have done. Soon after this 
work was announced as in press, I was forewarned 
"that it would not go down with the public, if I did rot sc 
the Generals." Unmoved by that menace. ] 
out, to them, justice, and if that will not contc 



ore 



?,! r„ e i e . r !. ?s ', . LKmOTed , h y that i have 

content 1 

go down the depths of Lethe, and like the gulf stream 



why, let the work not go down with them: ave rather let 
go down the depths of Lethe, and like the s 
know no reflux, than that I should pander to the n 
of any individual. If I could be so sordid as to consult 
selfish Interest, rather than generous Truth I would 



"score the Generals." But I cannot sell mv indepei 
that I may sell my book. I will not sink" the man ii 
author, nor purchase fame, that "fancied life in ot! 
breath, at the expense of one self. approving hour, 
tner choose I to exclaim with Pope 



"Or, if no basis bear my rising name, 

But the fall'n ruin of another's fame- 

Then teach me, heaven, to scorn the guilfv hays- 

Drive from my breast that wretched lostdf praii 

t nbiemished let me live, or die unknown: ' ' 

U, grant me honest fame, or grant me none." 

And now, courteous reader! thou who hast accompanied 
me all this weary way, our connection closes— perhaps 
forever! Bowing low to thee, humiliated by a deep and un- 
affected sense of many imperfections, mv heart throbbing 
with thick coming fears for the fate of my little book— 

andfi^th tb V!f did u a for f^ss of numerons faults, 
andfiom the unkind, nothing-looking thee full, vet smi- 
lingly, m tne face— permit me to take thy hand in both of 
mine and to press it gratefully, though gently— as at part- 
mg, I bid you— a respectful Farewell' P 



■ V 



VV 



o 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



0 010 458 363 5 



